ABSTRACT
Episodic memory impairments beyond the traumatic event might be a characteristic hallmark of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although several studies support such a claim, empirical findings are inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a random-effects meta-analysis including data from a total of 47 studies and 3,062 subjects. As main finding, we can show that PTSD patients show episodic memory deficits compared to all controls. This effect was significantly stronger for PTSD vs. non-traumatized healthy controls as compared to PTSD vs. traumatized controls without PTSD. Finally, episodic memory impairments in PTSD were most pronounced in verbal memory tests as compared to non-verbal memory tests. Our results provide new evidence that PTSD is characterized by impaired episodic long-term memory beyond the traumatic event, and these deficits are particularly pronounced in verbal memory. We will discuss our findings in the context of physiological, psychological and trauma related memory models. From a broader perspective, our findings may have implications for the treatment of PTSD by suggesting that the assessment and, if necessary, training of memory deficits could be included as part of diagnostics and psychotherapeutic treatment.
ABSTRACT
The study aimed to examine effects of supplemented conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) to periparturient cows receiving different concentrate proportions ante partum (a.p.) to investigate CLA effects on lipid mobilisation and metabolism. Compared to adapted feeding, a high-concentrate diet a.p. should induce a ketogenic metabolic situation post partum (p.p.) to better understand how CLA works. Sixty-four pregnant German Holstein cows had ad libitum access to partial mixed rations 3 weeks prior to calving until day 60 p.p. Ante partum, cows received control fat (CON) or a CLA supplement at 100 g/d, either in a low-concentrate (CON-20, CLA-20) or high-concentrate diet (CON-60, CLA-60). Post partum, concentrate proportion was adjusted, while fat supplementation continued. After day 32 p.p., half of the animals of CLA-groups changed to CON supplementation (CLA-20-CON, CLA-60-CON). A ketogenic metabolic situation p.p. was not achieved and therefore impacts of CLA could not be examined. Live weight, milk yield and composition, blood parameters remained unaffected by the treatments. Only a slightly reduced milk fat yield (not significant) was recorded for Group CLA-20. The proportion of trans-10,cis-12 (t10,c12) CLA in milk fat was significantly increased in CLA-groups compared to CON-groups. With the exception of a reversible CLA effect on milk fat in Group CLA-20, no post-treatment effects occurred. Dry matter intake (DMI) of Group CLA-60 was highest before calving, resulting in a significantly improved estimated energy balance after calving. Ante partum, net energy intakes were significantly increased in high-concentrate groups. Overall, supplemented CLA preparation did not relieve metabolism and lipid mobilisation of early lactating cows. But feeding CLA in a high-concentrate diet a.p. seems to increase DMI and thereby improve the energy balance of cows immediately after calving.