Researchers found a strong association between chronic stress and hypertension in African Americans, with those reporting high stress levels facing a 22% increased risk over time. Lifestyle changes may help prevent hypertension, but culturally sensitive interventions are needed to address disparities.
A new study found that military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are more likely to experience a rare sleep disorder called REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), which is also linked to an increased risk of developing neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's disease. Researchers hope that identifying patients with ...
A new study found that traumatic grief reactions in youth post-9/11 warrant separate clinical attention. The study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, identified a distinct bereavement-related disorder that captures maladaptive reactions after 9/11.
SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateOct 1, 2019
A recent study has found that chronic stress can lead to changes in the mitochondria of brain cells, which may contribute to anxiety symptoms. Researchers identified differences in mitochondrial pathways between stressed and non-stressed mice and patients with panic disorder.
A new study has revealed a possible role of oxytocin in hypersexual disorder, which affects 3-6% of the population. The researchers found that microRNA-4456 targets genes involved in regulating oxytocin, suggesting its potential as a treatment target.
Researchers at Seattle Children's developed an intervention, PRISM-P, to help parents cope with their child's cancer diagnosis. The program improves resilience and benefit finding among parents, who experience higher anxiety and depression after treatment. Parents report feeling overwhelmed by caregiving roles and unmet support needs.
Research reveals that bone-derived hormone osteocalcin plays a critical role in mediating the acute stress response, which is distinct from hormones released by the adrenal glands. Osteocalcin levels rise in response to stress, triggering physiological responses such as increased energy expenditure and heart rate.
A new study developed a blood-based biomarker panel that can diagnose posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in male combat veterans with 77% accuracy. The panel uses genomic, metabolic, and protein biomarkers to identify genetic and cellular changes associated with PTSD.
A childhood history of personal involvement in the juvenile justice system and parental incarceration is associated with depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder in young adulthood. Having either experience with the criminal justice system as a child increases risk of adverse mental health outcomes.
Researchers discovered a receptor on brain cells that promotes resilience to stress and may be a useful biomarker for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 3 (S1PR3) protein was found to be associated with reduced symptoms of PTSD in human patients.
Research found that users switch between activities on social media platforms to cope with stress, leading to increased technology addiction. Users often use the same features to divert themselves from stress, blurring the line between stress caused and compulsive use.
Psychologist Lisa Damour presents a counterintuitive view of stress and anxiety as unavoidable and potentially helpful. She argues that moderate levels of stress can build resilience and that anxiety serves as an internal alarm system to alert us to threats.
A study of over 165,000 US military veterans has identified multiple genetic locations associated with the risk of re-experiencing traumatic memories, a hallmark symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder. The research also found genetic overlap with conditions such as hypertension and psychiatric disorders.
A study published in the Journal of Investigative Medicine found an association between stress and increased serum levels of α-Klotho (αKl). The researchers suggest that elevated sαKl levels may predict stressed conditions, making it a potential biomarker for stress.
A MU researcher studied the relationship between stress and voice disorders, finding that stress-induced brain activations can lead to conditions like muscle tension dysphonia. The study suggests that stress can trigger physiological changes affecting speech control.
Researchers at DZNE associate oxidative stress with the spreading of abnormal alpha-synuclein protein in Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder. The findings suggest that oxidative stress may trigger the formation and aggregation of toxic alpha-synuclein species, leading to progressive pathology and neuronal damage.
Conduct disorder is a highly impairing psychiatric disorder that requires improved diagnosis and treatment. The condition is associated with a seven times greater health burden than ADHD and is linked to depression, anxiety, and substance abuse in children. Correct diagnosis and management can improve patient well-being and life chances.
Conduct Disorder is associated with an exceptionally high individual, societal, and economic burden, seven times greater than attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. If left untreated, CD can lead to negative consequences, including adult outcomes of antisocial or borderline personality disorder, criminal behavior, and gang involvement.
A new neural circuit related to VTAGABA+ neurons mediates visually evoked innate defensive responses, involving the SC Glut+_ VTAGABA+_ CeA pathway. This discovery provides insights into potential mechanisms of survival across species and maladaptive behavior in fear- and anxiety-related mental disorders.
A new study from Linköping University found that dogs and their owners share similar stress levels, with high-stress owners having high-stress dogs. The study examined 25 border collies and 33 Shetland sheepdogs and found no correlation between dog personality traits and stress levels.
A study of over 600 urban black men hospitalized for serious injuries found that those with violent injuries had more severe mental health symptoms. Prior life experiences, including adverse childhood experiences and neighborhood disadvantage, were identified as key risk factors for post-injury depression and PTSD.
A national Taiwanese health database study found people with bipolar disorder were nearly seven times as likely to develop Parkinson's disease as those without the condition. The risk was higher for those hospitalized more frequently, developing the disease at a younger age.
Researchers will investigate stress chemicals and circuits in the brain to understand persistent changes in sleep and circadian rhythms. The study aims to develop new brain targets for medication development and improve diagnosis accuracy.
A study found that metabotropic glutamatergic receptor 5 (mGluR5) availability may serve as a biomarker for suicide risk management in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Higher mGluR5 levels were associated with suicidal ideation and mood disturbances in individuals with PTSD.
Researchers found that chronic stress can harm ovarian function and reduce the number of primordial follicles, but blocking ghrelin receptor improved ovarian function. The study suggests that eating habits may be able to mitigate the effects of stress on fertility.
Researchers identified 20 new genetic associations with bipolar disorder in a massive study of over 50,000 subjects across 14 countries. The findings highlight the complexity of the disease and its overlap with other psychiatric disorders.
A recent study published in Biological Psychiatry has discovered a relationship between the anti-stress brain chemical nociceptin and PTSD symptom severity. Women with less severe PTSD symptoms had fewer receptors for the chemical in regions of the brain involved in the threat alarm system, suggesting a potential marker for resilience.
Research found that one-third of workers have hypertension, and combined work stress and poor sleep increase cardiovascular death risk by three times. Employers should provide stress management and sleep treatment in the workplace, especially for staff with chronic conditions.
A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that stress increases fear-promoting brain regions while reducing fear-reducing ones. This shift can be mimicked by increasing norepinephrine release, potentially leading to more effective treatments for PTSD.
A Swedish study finds a strong link between stress-related disorders and cardiovascular disease, with a 64% higher risk among those with a stress related disorder compared to their unaffected sibling. The risk is highest during the first year after diagnosis, especially for heart failure and major blood clots.
A new study found that device-guided breathing can improve physiological symptoms in people with severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including lower heart rate and muscle tension. The treatment shows promise for reducing the risk of future hypertension in this population.
Research finds that childhood stress can have a lasting impact on cortisol levels in adulthood, increasing the risk of negative health outcomes. The study, published in Psychological Science, suggests that early life stress can recalibrate the brain's stress-response system, making it more sensitive to stressors later in life.
A study by Prof. Amit Shrira found that Holocaust survivors with PTSD and their offspring negatively perceive aging, viewing themselves as less successful than those without PTSD or exposure to the Holocaust. This transmission of negative views can lead to greater risk for physical deterioration among survivors and their families.
Researchers at IU School of Medicine have developed a cutting-edge blood test to help accurately diagnose military veterans and others with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The test can identify individuals at risk or experiencing severe stress disorders, enabling targeted treatments and prevention strategies.
Researchers found that controlled stress in adolescence attenuates HPA axis activation in adulthood, reducing motor impulsivity and increasing dopamine type 2 receptors. Uncontrollable stress, however, increases impulsivity and cognitive inflexibility.
A new study reveals that chronic stress promotes breast cancer growth and spread by activating a biochemical pathway involving the stress hormone epinephrine. Vitamin C has been identified as a potential therapeutic agent to target this pathway, potentially offering new hope for patients undergoing chronic stress.
Researchers found that neurosteroids inhibit Toll-like receptor 4 signaling activation, preventing pro-inflammatory protein production and cytokine creation. This discovery provides a new target for treating brain diseases, including alcoholism, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorders.
A new study by researchers at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that individuals with access to guns were approximately 18 times more likely to have threatened someone with a gun, while most mental health symptoms were unrelated to gun violence. Limiting access to guns is key to reducing gun violence.
Biological imaging experts at Colorado State University have used a custom fluorescence microscope to capture individual RNA molecules interacting with stress granules. The results show that RNA translation is completely silenced before the RNAs enter the stress granules, providing unprecedented details of the cellular stress response.
A genome-wide study found that copy number variants (CNVs) are more closely associated with a 'schizophrenia-like' bipolar disorder subtype than the broader form of bipolar disorder. This suggests a distinct mechanism underlying the biology of schizoaffective disorder, which shares symptoms with schizophrenia.
Researchers found that lizards from high-stress environments had more robust immune systems when exposed to prolonged stress, suggesting a potential adaptive advantage. The study's results may have implications for human stress response and disease prevention.
Researchers discovered a mechanism involving protein alteration that controls cell response to stress, boosting immunity and extending lifespan. The discovery highlights the importance of unfolded protein response (UPR) and its regulation by ULP-4 enzyme in mitigating mitochondrial stress.
A study found that people taking antidepressants, having post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety are at risk of developing REM sleep behavior disorder. Men are also more likely to have the condition. Lifestyle factors such as education level, income, smoking status and moderate to heavy drinking habits were also linked to the disorder.
Researchers at The Ohio State University found that eliminating microglia can reverse some aspects of stress sensitization, but not increased anxiety. Microglia hold unique signatures of chronic stress and play a critical role in the recurrence of anxiety after chronic stress.
Researchers used supercomputer simulations to measure atomic-scale stress tensor of materials with dislocations and phase boundaries. They developed a new approach to calculate stress at the atomic level, addressing limitations of classical continuum mechanics.
Research at Hokkaido University found that the body's stress response is weaker in the evening, potentially making individuals more susceptible to stress. Cortisol levels were significantly higher in volunteers who took a morning stress test compared to those who took an evening test.
A study found that midlife and older women experiencing menopause are at risk for intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The research highlights the association between traumatic experiences and common symptoms related to menopause, including difficulty sleeping and vaginal symptoms.
Research using young mice suggests that a nutrient-rich diet during early-life stress can improve brain development and function. The study found that micronutrients could help mitigate the negative effects of early-life stress on cognition, suggesting potential benefits for children's learning and memory abilities.
Researchers found significant reductions in PTSD symptoms and increases in self-compassion among veterans who participated in the Dogs2Vets program. The 12-month study showed veterans experienced lower levels of perceived stress, isolation, and self-judgment.
Research highlights long-lasting effects of early life stress on the genome, gut, and brain, increasing the risk of anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorder. Novel strategies, such as inhibiting stress hormone production or resetting immune cells, may help combat these effects.
Researchers found that reducing overall alcohol consumption can lead to fewer people developing an alcohol disorder. The study also showed that men are at greater risk of developing a disorder and are less likely to quit.
Researchers developed two new devices to mechanically stress human retinal cells, mimicking slow and continuous stress levels as well as high levels of stress. The study found that mechanical stress results in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, a protein linked to disease initiation and progression.
Research reveals chronic stress impairs spatial memory through altered glucose metabolism, with susceptible individuals showing cognitive impairments.
A study by San Francisco State University found that 25% of young adults experienced clinically significant stress after the 2016 US election, comparable to witnesses of a mass shooting. The study also highlighted strong impacts on racial and ethnic groups, as well as gender, political affiliation, and religion.
A study of 44,555 veterans found that long-term benzodiazepine use in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may increase suicide risk. Short-term use was associated with increased mortality.
A mouse study found that binge drinking makes male mice more likely to drink under stress, while female mice show no such increase. The study suggests sex differences in the brain's response to stress and alcohol consumption.
A new study suggests that higher mindfulness may lower stress and the impact of menopause-related symptoms such as hot flashes in midlife women. The study, presented at The North American Menopause Society Annual Meeting, found a correlation between higher mindfulness and lower menopause symptom scores, as well as lower stress scores.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health researchers found that higher levels of stress are associated with lower odds of conception for women, but not for men. Women with high perceived stress were 13% less likely to conceive than those with low perceived stress.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute discovered that individuals with depression have a larger left hypothalamus than those without the disorder. The study found a correlation between the severity of depression and the size of the brain region, but no effect from medication.
A study by the American Psychological Association found that 35% of students from 19 colleges in eight countries reported symptoms consistent with at least one mental health disorder. Major depressive disorder was the most common, followed by generalized anxiety disorder.