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Topic

An Investigation of Vascular Brain Health in Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Department of Psychology

Date & location

• Wednesday, August 13, 2025

• 10:00 A.M.

• Virtual Defence

Reviewers

Supervisory Committee

• Dr. Jodie Gawryluk, Department of Psychology, ßÉßɱ¬ÁÏ (Supervisor)

• Dr. Chantel Mayo, Department of Psychology, UVic (Member)

• Dr. Erin Mazerolle, Department of Psychology, UVic (Member) 

External Examiner

• Dr. Brian Christie, School of Medical Sciences, UVic 

Chair of Oral Examination

• Dr. Kristin Semmens, Department of History/School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures, UVic

   

Abstract

Prior research has indicated that both traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can impact brain structure and function and lead to a higher risk for dementia. The Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative – Department of Defense (ADNI-DOD) database comprises data for Veterans between 60-80 years old who fit into four groups: individuals with a history of 1) TBI, 2) PTSD, 3) TBI+PTSD and 4) neither TBI nor PTSD (controls). The objectives of the current project were to 1) examine differences in vascular brain health (white matter hyperintensities (WMH)) and cognition between Veterans with TBI, PTSD, TBI+PTSD, and neither; and 2) examine the relationship between vascular brain health and modifiable risk factors (hypertension, alcohol use, and lifetime stress). Analyses of Covariances (ANOVA) were conducted to test between group differences in WMH volumes and cognition (Objective 1). Results revealed no significant differences in vascular brain health amongst groups of Veterans with and without TBI, PTSD and TBI+PTSD. However, the control group scored significantly lower on the MoCA than the PTSD and TBI+PTSD groups. Pearson’s correlations were conducted to examine the associations between vascular brain health and modifiable risk factors (Objective 2). Analysis revealed no significant relationships between vascular brain health and modifiable risk factors. The current study contributes to growing literature on PTSD and TBI as risk factors for dementia in Veterans. Future research should examine additional measures of brain health in combination with other modifiable risk factors in Veterans.