LANGUAGE PRODUCTION IN PTSD: EVIDENCE FOR FEATURES ASSOCIATED WITH BROCA’S APHASIA IN TWO CASE STUDIES
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Abstract
This pilot study investigates whether individuals with PTSD (IWPs), in general and during flashbacks, exhibit linguistic deficits reminiscent of Broca’s aphasia. The study is motivated by two things: 1) research documenting Working Memory (WM) deficits in IWPs as well as lower activity in Broca’s area (BA 44-45) during flashbacks specifically; 2) a theory suggesting that Broca’s aphasia arises from general resource reductions, likely in working memory capacity (WMC), prompting more economical language production. If this theory is correct, it predicts a similar response in other groups experiencing resource reductions, including IWPs. In the present study, we analyzed the language of two IWPs and two matched controls across three comparisons: (1) IWPs in flashback vs. not in flashback, (2) IWPs not in flashback vs. control, and (3) IWPs in flashback vs. control. We found significant deficits in terms of variables associated with Broca’s aphasia when IWPs were compared to controls as well as when compared to themselves while not experiencing flashback. The results support the idea of transient non-fluency during flashback as well as a degree of non-fluency in IWPs in general.
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