A new study by Prof. Ruth Defrin and colleagues found that acute psychosocial stress significantly decreases pain inhibition capabilities while increasing pain intensification in healthy young male adults. The researchers applied acute stress tests to evaluate the body's pain modulation mechanisms prior and after stress induction.
Researchers studying same-sex couples' stress levels and overall health have developed a new framework to understand the effects of minority stress. The study highlights how shared stress can affect relationships and quality of life for these couples.
A study published in Current Biology found that stress hormones block empathy, while a game of Rock Band increased emotional contagion of pain in both mice and human strangers. Researchers discovered that biochemical changes related to stress prevented emotional contagion in animals.
Researchers at UC Berkeley discovered that chronic stress activates a hormone reducing fertility long after stress ends, and blocking this hormone restores female reproductive behavior to normal in rats. The study's findings suggest the potential for a gene therapy approach to help women overcome infertility caused by stress.
Researchers from Scripps Florida are investigating microRNAs as a potential key to treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by erasing traumatic memories without altering other, more benign ones. The study aims to understand how the brain stores toxic memories and develop new targets to selectively target harmful memories.
A telemedicine-based collaborative care model successfully engaged rural veterans with PTSD in evidence-based psychotherapy, improving clinical outcomes. The study found that patients who attended eight or more sessions of cognitive processing therapy experienced significant improvements in PTSD severity.
New research suggests that racial discrimination, family issues, and economic constraints contribute to acculturative stress among Latina immigrants. Family support, however, acts as a protective factor against psychological distress. The study found that acculturative stress levels varied depending on individual circumstances.
Research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2014 found that young and middle-age women with stable coronary heart disease are more vulnerable to emotional stress. They experience a significant reduction in blood flow to the heart when subjected to mental stress, whereas physical stress does not cause a no...
People with social anxiety disorder tend to think their friendships are worse than they really are, but a new study reveals this perception may be misplaced. The study found that friendships of people with social anxiety disorder were not significantly worse than those without the disorder, contrary to their self-reported experiences.
A new transdiagnostic psychotherapy approach, CETA, has been found to be effective in reducing depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms among Burmese trauma survivors living in Thailand. The treatment resulted in a significant reduction of symptoms over an average of 3 months.
This special issue of Harvard Review of Psychiatry provides an overview of recent advances in understanding and treating bipolar disorder. Key findings include the role of white matter disease, stress and HPA axis function, effectiveness of lithium, stimulants for depression, functional remediation, and issues in network meta-analysis.
Researchers discovered a counterintuitive effect where structural disorder counters thermal disorder in certain systems, leading to lower overall disorder. The study focused on charged fluids and found that disordered charges interact strongly with mobile ions to oppose the effects of thermal disorder.
A UTA researcher has made a breakthrough in regenerating cartilage tissue using microscaffolding injections, aiming to reduce posttraumatic osteoarthritis symptoms. The treatment utilizes patients' own stem cells to form new cartilage tissue, potentially curing the disease.
A recent study published in PNAS found that pre-existing differences in immune system sensitivity to stress can increase the risk of developing stress-related depression or anxiety. The research suggests that interleukin-6 may be a key factor in this increased risk.
A recent study by researchers at The Miriam Hospital found that newborns of mothers who smoke cigarettes during pregnancy show lower levels of stress hormones and altered DNA. This may lead to a higher risk of behavior problems and nicotine addiction in later life.
Researchers at UMass Chan Medical School and UMMSM have identified a rare genetic pathway that protects against bipolar disorder. Decades of research in Old Order Amish families with a high incidence of both diseases revealed a significant negative association between Ellis van-Creveld syndrome and bipolar affective disorder.
A recent study by McMaster University found that only 40% of Canadians engage in exercise as a coping mechanism for stress. Younger, single, more educated, and active adults are more likely to use exercise to relieve stress.
Researchers at Concordia University found that individuals with less variable heart rates when worrying are more likely to experience high stress levels later on. This diagnostic measure can help healthcare professionals identify those most susceptible to chronic stress and provide timely interventions.
The study investigates DJ-1's role in the oxidative stress cell death cascade after stroke, revealing its importance as an anti-oxidative stress therapeutic target. DJ-1 translocation to mitochondria may mitigate mitochondrial injury and promote neuroprotection.
Research from Oregon State University found that both everyday hassles and significant life events are harmful to men's health. Men who experience several stressful life events do not necessarily have high levels of stress from everyday hassles, suggesting a person's reaction to stress is key.
A study of 19,136 people found that 15% had experienced an episode of sleep drunkenness in the last year, with more than half reporting multiple episodes per week. People with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions were more likely to experience the disorder.
A survey of U.S. veterans receiving mental health services from the Veterans Health Administration finds general satisfaction, but also significant room for improvement among all areas studied. Patients who received treatment for substance use disorder were less satisfied and less likely to report symptom improvement.
Researchers found that rats with no explicit memory of an early childhood trauma developed PTSD symptoms, highlighting the importance of non-articulated brain processes in distress. This study challenges traditional views on PTSD treatment by emphasizing the role of physiologic arousal and other forms of learning.
A new study found that the reclassification of PTSD diagnosis in DSM-5 potentially excludes soldiers who were previously diagnosed under previous criteria. The authors surveyed 1822 US soldiers and found that just under a third were excluded when using DSM-5 criteria, highlighting concerns for treatment and benefits.
Adolescents with high sympathetic nervous system reactivity develop higher PTSD symptoms regardless of media coverage. Lower sympathetic reactivity before a traumatic event is associated with only post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms following high media exposure.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that small DNA modifications can affect the brain's threat response. The study focused on the serotonin transporter gene and found a strong link between methylation levels and amygdala reactivity, which may contribute to stress-related disorders.
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry has identified the risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after an accident. The research found that 9% of injured people develop PTSD, with symptoms such as headaches, pain, and anxiety persisting for months after the incident.
A recent study suggests that persistent symptoms following concussion may be posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), rather than postconcussion syndrome (PCS). The study found that 8.8% of patients with head injuries met the criteria for PTSD, compared to 2.2% of those without head injuries.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University discovered that brief mindfulness meditation practice alleviates psychological stress. The study showed that even just three consecutive days of 25-minute mindfulness sessions can reduce stress levels.
The study found that inhibiting neurons in specific brain regions eliminated stress-induced heat production and increased body temperature in rats. Stimulating these neurons caused the opposite effect, highlighting a key neural circuit connection in the development of psychological stress-induced hyperthermia.
Research at Umeå University reveals that low cortisol levels increase the risk of depression in people with bipolar disorder. The study found that both high and low cortisol levels impaired mental health, with those having low cortisol levels experiencing a chronic state of the disorder.
A new study found that elevated stress hormones are associated with structural brain changes and short-term memory deficits in aged rats. The research suggests that stress may accelerate age-related cognitive decline by altering brain connections and function in the prefrontal cortex.
Researchers found that even brief observations of stressed individuals can increase cortisol levels in observers, particularly when social closeness is involved. This phenomenon, known as empathic stress, has significant implications for the healthcare system and our understanding of stress transmission.
Researchers found that chronically stressed women who consume high-fat, high-sugar foods are more prone to metabolic risks such as increased waistlines, insulin resistance, and oxidative damage. The study suggests a stress pathway that influences biology through diet, highlighting the importance of treating chronic stress.
A recent study led by the University of Waterloo found that parents of children with life-limiting illnesses often report positive outcomes as well, known as posttraumatic growth. This phenomenon is characterized by growth in areas such as personal strength, appreciation for life, and spiritual change.
Researchers at Michigan Technological University have identified over 1,000 genes in rice that play key roles in managing stress responses to both biotic and abiotic stresses. The study found that 70% of these genes are co-expressive, turning on under both kinds of stress.
Research by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory finds that early-life chronic stress can cause anxiety, depression, and decreased social interaction in adulthood. In contrast, young mice subjected to social defeat stress showed resilience, but still experienced increased aggression as adults.
Researchers at Montefiore Headache Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that relaxation following heightened stress triggers more migraine attacks. The study suggests that stress management and healthy lifestyle habits are crucial for people with migraines.
Chronic stress in mice primes their immune systems for a prolonged fight, causing an excessive reaction to later acute stressors. The study's findings mimic symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and suggest the spleen plays a key role in storing primed immune cells.
A new study reveals that higher stress levels are associated with an increase in the number of headaches per month. The study found that for those with tension-type headache, a 10-point increase in stress was linked to a 6.3% rise in headache days per month.
A study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that Congolese refugees who practiced Transcendental Meditation experienced a significant reduction in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after just 10 days. Their PTSD test scores dropped to an average of 48, indicating nearly no symptoms of PTSD.
This collection of reviews covers the impact of environmental changes on organisms, including molecular mechanisms and epigenetic factors. Key findings highlight the complexity of stress responses across generations, emphasizing the need for integrated cell stress responses for survival.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry reveals that hippocampal volume loss in depression is caused by a reduction in glial cells, not neurons. The research uses female nonhuman primates to clarify the cellular basis of volumetric changes in the brain.
A study found that high maternal care during early post-natal periods can re-program genes controlling stress responses, reducing sensitivity to stressful events. This rewiring has implications for understanding early environment influences on stress-related disorders.
A study by St. Michael's Hospital found that parental stress is associated with weight gain in children, particularly those of Hispanic descent. Children whose parents experience high levels of stress have a higher BMI and increased rate of weight gain compared to those with low stress levels.
A study found that cognitive behavioral therapy for PTSD reduces symptoms and affects underlying biology, reversing changes in gene expression and brain volume. The therapy was associated with improved symptoms and increased hippocampal volume and FKBP5 gene expression.
The study reveals that inhibition of parvalbumin-expressing prefrontal interneurons triggers fear behaviour, while activation reduces it. The researchers hope their findings will lead to new treatment strategies for posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorders.
A new study suggests that early life stress can lead to increased sensitivity to pain in adulthood, particularly if followed by later stress exposure. The study found that rats subjected to early-life maternal neglect showed enhanced muscle pain in response to mild stress as adults.
Researchers found chronic PTSD patients have gray matter structural damage in the prefrontal lobe, occipital lobe, and parietal lobe. Improved PTSD symptoms are associated with reduced but not recovered gray matter structural damage.
Researchers at the University of Basel have identified a new compound that reduces aversive memory, a trait central to anxiety disorders like PTSD. The compound, a known antihistamine, was found to significantly reduce memory recall of negative pictures but not neutral or positive ones.
Researchers at MIT discovered that ghrelin, a stress-induced hormone, primes the brain for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Chronic stress elevates ghrelin levels, making the brain more vulnerable to traumatic events. Blocking ghrelin receptors or growth hormone may help protect people at high risk for PTSD.
A new study finds that stress sweat significantly impacts social judgments of one's confidence, trustworthiness, and competence in both males and females. The study, published in PLOS ONE, reveals that the odor from stress-related sweat affects how women are perceived by others.
A new study examines how healthcare providers respond to emotional, sexual, and physical violence experienced by female US veterans at the hands of their intimate partners. The research highlights the need for routine screening and direct inquiry to disclose experiences of intimate partner violence.
A comprehensive review of medical literature reveals a link between PTSD and metabolic syndrome. The study suggests that the relationship is not clear and may be influenced by various factors such as socioeconomic status and lifestyle habits. Further investigation is needed to fully understand this connection.
A new study from MIT reveals a gene essential for memory extinction, which could benefit people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Enhancing the activity of this gene, Tet1, might make it easier to replace fearful memories with more positive associations.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that maternal posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with an increased risk for child maltreatment. Mothers with comorbid PTSD and depression showed the highest levels of physically and psychologically abusive behaviors, highlighting the importance of measuring PTSD symptoms when a...
A recent study examined post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a group of 1,040 rescue workers who participated in the Wenchuan earthquake relief. The findings indicate that PTSD was diagnosed in 64% of the participants, primarily due to factors such as near-death experience, severe injury or mental trauma, and low social support.
A study found that naltrexone treatment reduced the percentage of days drinking among patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol dependence. The combination of prolonged exposure therapy and naltrexone did not increase drinking or alcohol craving, contradicting common views.
Patricia Resick, PhD, ABPP, received the American Psychological Association's Division of Trauma Psychology Award for Lifetime Achievement in trauma psychology. She has made outstanding contributions to science, practice, advocacy, and education, developing Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD treatment.
Terence M. Keane, a renowned expert on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has received the Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Clinical Psychology Award from the American Psychological Association. His work focuses on developing new therapies and treatments for PTSD, which affects approximately 7.7 million adults in the US.