Deficiencies of Executive Functions in patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

The main aim of this study was comparative the working memory (verbal – non verbal) and sustain attention in veterans with and without Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Method & Materials: Used method in this study is descriptive and causal- comparatine. Among all veterans in Mashhad, 44 of them were selected with using available sampling method, inclouding two PTSD and non-PTSD groups and were evaluated with using Digit Span (Auditory-Visual) and continuous performance test. The MANCOVA test showed that the two groups in terms of their overall performance in Auditory of Digit Span, Visual of Digit Span and continuous performance test have significant difference. Also Results of showed that between two groups, there is a significant difference in Digit Span forward and backward, Auditory of Capacity, Visual of Capacity; Correct responses and ommission in CPT. But there is no significant difference in reaction time and commission in CPT. Poorer performance of PTSD groups in Neuropsychological tests indicated their impairment in verbal – non verbal of working memory, and sustain attention. Therefore, problem in this excutive functions can be considered as an explanation for the symptoms of mentioned disorder.