What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to evaluate whether topiramate affects cognitive function in veterans with PTSD and alcohol use disorder.

April 8, 2026

Evaluating cognitive effects of topiramate in trauma-focused treatment: Findings from a randomized double-blind clinical trial of veterans with PTSD and alcohol use disorder.

Key Points

The study aims to evaluate whether topiramate affects cognitive function in veterans with PTSD and alcohol use disorder.
Conducted a randomized double-blind clinical trial.
Compared effects of topiramate and placebo on cognitive performance.
Participants included veterans diagnosed with PTSD and alcohol use disorder.
Both groups showed minor cognitive declines, but these were not statistically significant.
Topiramate did not cause clinically meaningful cognitive impairment.
There may be improvements in treatment response when topiramate is used.

Abstract

While minor declines in some cognitive domains were observed in both the topiramate and placebo groups, these changes were nonsignificant and not clinically meaningful (<1 standard deviation change). These findings suggest that topiramate does not produce clinically significant cognitive impairment when combined with prolonged exposure and may enhance treatment response. Future research should examine the long-term cognitive and therapeutic effects of topiramate to guide shared decision making and optimize integrated treatment for veterans with PTSD and AUD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

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Cite This Study

Hicks et al. (Mon,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69d5f0ee74eaea4b11a7a6fe https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0002159

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