Alex Sirois presented NIRL research titled “White Matter Connectivity in Veterans with Comorbid Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury” at the 2018 UNC Celebration of Undergraduate Research.
Abstract: It has been estimated that up to 50% of combat veterans who suffer from traumatic brain injury also suffer from comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder. The combined effects of this comorbidy may result in problems such as chronic hyperarousal, excessive fatigue and insomnia, irritability, social withdraw and depression. Veterans have also experienced executive dysfunction and behavioral disturbances exhibited through dis-inhibition, substance abuse, and problems controlling anger. This research used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to evaluate whether white matter connectivity in the frontoparietal and frontostriate pathways correlates with frontal lobe impairment or improved functioning as a result of being exposed to a mobile-technology based therapy called Cognitive Apps for Life Management (CALM). Twenty veterans diagnosed with comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury were assigned to a CALM treatment group, and were subsequently compared to twenty members of an active control group. It was hypothesized that veterans who showed little improvement in executive functioning would would also show reduced white matter connectivity or integrity.