# Accelerated Aging among Veterans with PTSD

> **NIH VA I01** · VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · 2020 · —

## Abstract

The psychiatric aftermath of severe traumatic stress, including Post-Traumatic-Stress Disorder (PTSD), is well
recognized; however, less attention has been given to the growing evidence that Veterans with PTSD
experience biological and cognitive deterioration. Specifically, PTSD is associated with an earlier occurrence of
age-associated medical illnesses, higher risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, and higher mortality rates
compared to those without PTSD. Whether this deterioration is best characterized as premature or accelerated
aging is presently unclear but could have implications for future interventions and their timing. In addition, the
mechanism(s) underlying the comorbidity, cognitive deficits, and mortality associated with PTSD are presently
unknown. However, given the association of inflammation with aging and health and with PTSD, pro-
inflammatory markers appear a viable candidate to identify the underlying mechanisms. Through a Multi-
Cohort Longitudinal Design we will compare 80 Veterans with PTSD to 80 normative comparison Veterans
without PTSD across a critical period of the adult life span (26-65 years), and examine within-person changes
over a 2.5 year follow-up period on biological markers of aging (leucocyte telomere length and allostatic load),
cognitive aging (neurocognitive performance), as well as physical comorbidity. We will also examine several
key pro-inflammatory biomarkers (HS-CRP, IL-1β IL-6, and TNFα). This will enable us to confirm whether the
systemic and cognitive deterioration associated with PTSD is best characterized as accelerated versus
premature aging, and the potential role of inflammatory processes in that deterioration. We will also conduct
exploratory analyses of alternative models of factors that could mediate the association of PTSD and/or its
severity to biological aging. These include gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education level, exposure
to psychological trauma, combat exposure, TBI (number of brain traumas and severity), smoking and
substance abuse, sleep disturbance, and sedentary lifestyle. If PTSD is associated with accelerated aging, this
disorder may require re-conceptualization and treatment as a chronic systemic disorder rather than a purely
neuropsychiatric condition. Moreover, if the neurobiologic mechanisms of the cognitive and biological
deterioration can be identified, new treatment targets may emerge to supplement those for the psychiatric
aspects of the condition. This information could have a profound effect in guiding appropriate and effective
treatment for Veterans with PTSD to improve physical health, longevity, and quality of life.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9892963
- **Project number:** 5I01CX001351-04
- **Recipient organization:** VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** James Blakely Lohr
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-04-01 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9892963

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9892963, Accelerated Aging among Veterans with PTSD (5I01CX001351-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9892963. Licensed CC0.

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