Trail Making Test performance in Vietnam combat veterans with and without posttraumatic stress disorder

The present study investigated variables associated with performance on the Trail Making Test from the Halstead-Reitan neuropsychological test battery in Vietnam combat veterans. There was a significant difference in performa nce between veterans with and without PTSD on both parts of the Trail Makin g Test. In subgroup analyses excluding participants on medications (antianx iety, antidepressant, and cardiac), comorbid diagnoses (history of alcohol or substance abuse, history of major depression and comorbid anxiety disord er) and compensation-seeking status, the group difference on Trails B remai ned significant. However subgroup analyses suggested that poorer performanc e on Trails A was influenced by antianxiety and cardiac medications as well as heavy combat exposure status.