RSS Feeds

Earth Science

Space Science

Life Science

Fields of Scientific Study

Nanotechnology

Cancer

Definitions of The Fields of Scientific Study

Large hormone dose may reduce risk of post-traumatic stress disorder

October 28, 2008

A new study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers found that a high dose of cortisone could help reduce the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The article appears in Biological Psychiatry, Volume 64, Issue 8 (October 15, 2008), pages 708-717.

In an animal model of PTSD, high doses of a cortisol-related substance, corticosterone, prevented negative consequences of stress exposure, including increased startle response and behavioral freezing when exposed to reminders of the stress.

Cortisol is secreted into the blood stream through the adrenal glands, which are active when the body responds to stress. It is known as "the stress hormone" because it is also secreted in higher levels during the body's "fight or flight" response to stress, and is responsible for several stress-related changes in the body.

According to Dr. Hagit Cohen of the Anxiety and Stress Research Unit at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, "A single intervention with high-dose corticosterone immediately after exposure to a psychogenic stressor was highly effective in reducing the incidence of PTSD-like behaviors and improved the resilience to subsequent trauma-cue exposure in an innovative controlled prospective animal study."

"Single high-dose corticosteroid treatment may thus be worthy of clinical investigation as a possible avenue for early pharmaco-therapeutic intervention in the acute phase, aimed at prevention of chronic stress-related disorders, such as PTSD," Cohen explains. "In this sense, it brings treatment of PTSD to a new era - an era of secondary prevention, an era of the golden hours."

American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Related Post-traumatic Current Events and Post-traumatic News Articles

Post-traumatic Current Events and Post-traumatic News RSS

New UAB Study Sheds Light on Brain's Response to Distress, Unexpected Events
In a new study, psychologists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) are able to see in detail for the first time how various regions of the human brain respond when people experience an unexpected or traumatic event.

Psychiatric impact of torture could be amplified by head injury
Depression and other emotional symptoms in survivors of torture and other traumatic experiences may be exacerbated by the effects of head injuries, according to a study from the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma (HPRT), based in the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Department of Psychiatry.

Use of cannabinoids (marijuana) could help post-traumatic stress disorder patients
Use of cannabinoids (marijuana) could assist in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder patients. This is exposed in a new study carried out at the Learning and Memory Lab in the University of Haifa's Department of Psychology.

MU Researchers Use Computational Models to Study Fear
The brain is a complex system made of billions of neurons and thousands of connections that relate to every human feeling, including one of the strongest emotions, fear.

Researchers unravel mystery behind long-lasting memories
A new study by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine may reveal how long-lasting memories form in the brain.

PTSD associated with higher Alzheimer's/dementia risk; moderate alcohol consumption may lower it
Though discoveries about Alzheimer's disease risk factors are often in the news, adults do not know about the relationship between Alzheimer's disease risk and heart health, nor that physical activity can be protective against dementia.

CU-Boulder study shows brain's immune system may cause chronic seizures
Chronic seizures caused by traumatic head injuries may result from chemicals released by the brain's immune system attempting to repair the injured site.

Neuroscience research could benefit US Army, yet challenge traditional approaches
Advances in neuroscience research could benefit the Army, particularly in areas of soldier training and education. However, an emerging trend of using individual variability in neural processes such as cognition, stress response, and decision making to improve group performance is likely to challenge conventional approaches to training and educating soldiers.

Witnessing violence affects kids' health
School-aged children who witness violence in urban communities show symptoms of post-traumatic stress. They also suffer physiological effects with a disruption to their normal cortisol production pattern during the day, which may have long-term negative effects on their health.

Controlling our brain's perception of emotional events
Research performed by Nicole Lauzon and Dr. Steven Laviolette of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at The University of Western Ontario has found key processes in the brain that control the emotional significance of our experiences and how we form memories of them.

More Post-traumatic Current Events and Post-traumatic News Articles

	The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook: A Guide to Healing, Recovery, and Growth by Glenn Schiraldi (Author) The Definitive Resource for Trauma Survivors, Their Loved Ones, and Helpers Trauma can take many forms, from witnessing a violent crime or surviving a natural disaster to living with the effects of abuse, rape, combat, or alcoholism. Deep emotional wounds may seem like they will never heal. However, with The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook, Dr. Glenn Schiraldi offers a remarkable range of treatment alternatives and self-management techniques, showing survivors that the other side of pain is recovery and growth. Live your life more fully-without fear, pain, depression, or self-doubt Identify emotional triggers-and protect yourself from further harm Understand the link between PTSD and addiction-and how to break it Find the best treatments and...
	Post Traumatic Death Glass Casket (Primary Contributor)
	Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome DVD "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome" (PTSS) delves into the primary values that have shaped African culture, and the impact that slavery as a historical trauma, has had on African American culture. In discussing PTSS, Dr. Leary suggest that it is not plausible for Africans to have emerged unscathed from nearly two and a half centuries of slavery, during which time they were labeled as sub-human and treated as chattel. Also discussed, are the survival adaptations necessary for enduring a hostile slave environment and how these adaptations, both positive and negative, have been passed along through generations and continue to be reflected in the behaviors of African Americans today. Viewers are led on a stirring and powerful journey through a part of American history that has been deleted from...
	Post Traumatic Slide Syndrome Starring: Kristoffer Tabori, Stacy Grant, Don MacKay, Deanne Henry, Carlton Watson Directed By: Adam Nimoy Also With: Jacob Epstein (Producer), Tracy Torme (Producer), Alan Barnette (Producer), Nan Hagan (Writer)
	PTSD: Living In a Stressful World - Understanding and Overcoming Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Starring: Jef Gazley M.S. LMFT Directed By: Russ Wagner This psychology video explains the causes and development of PTSD. Over a period of time, overwhelming shock and/or shocking experiences can cripple your ability to deal effectively in the present day. This problem often develops when people grow up in dysfunctional families. You will see yourself here, and discover that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is not something mysterious, and is curable. This tape was used as research for the movie "The Manchurian Candidate" (2004).
	Trouble in Mind: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder [VHS] Starring: Trouble in Mind
	Conquering Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: The Newest Techniques for Overcoming Symptoms, Regaining Hope, and Getting Your Life Back by Victoria Lemle Beckner (Author), John B. Arden (Author) More than 13 million Americans experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and one out of 13 adults will develop it in their lifetime. Recent worldwide crises and events including the Iraq war; the September 11th attacks; numerous Columbine-like events; the Catholic Church child molestation scandal; and the Katrina tragedy in New Orleans, continue to present thousands more PTSD cases each year in all age groups. This book helps victims make sense of the events that led to their illness and teaches them how to create a new reality with specific advice and action plans that put them on the road to recovery and long-term healing.
	The PTSD Workbook: Simple, Effective Techniques for Overcoming Traumatic Stress Symptoms by Mary Beth Williams (Author), Soili Poijula (Author) Post-traumatic stress disorder is an extremely debilitating condition that can occur after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal. In The PTSD Workbook, readers determine the type of trauma they experienced, identify their physical, mental, and emotional symptoms, and learn effective techniques and interventions to overcome them. They start with the exercise best suited to relieve their worst symptom then progress to less troubling symptoms, picking up key information about PTSD along the way.
	Post Traumatic Stress Carlon (Primary Contributor)
	Hemi-Sync De-Hab Health Exercise CD by Monroe Products With this Hemi-Sync blended CD, the listener is guided through beneficial brain states. The states are heightened by the Hemi-Sync signals, where the listener can opt to eliminate or diminish undesirable mental, emotional or physical habits. Use anytime to conteract unproductive emotions, or use to follow behavior patterns that lead to days free of anger, anxiety, fear, thoughts of failure, and cycles of negativity.