A study of over 1,000 motor vehicle accident survivors found a common genetic variant in the stress response gene FKBP5 linked to increased chronic pain. The researchers discovered that addressing this interaction between the genetic variant and post-traumatic stress may represent a supplemental or alternative treatment option.
Researchers have identified a gene variant linked to chronic pain after traumatic injury, specifically the FKBP5 gene, which regulates the stress response and is affected by microRNA miR-320a. Individuals with this variant are more likely to experience increased pain due to altered cortisol levels and nerve sensitization.
Terence M. Keane, a BU School of Medicine professor, received the Presidential Award from the American Psychological Association for his outstanding work in trauma psychology and post-traumatic stress disorder research. He is a national leader in the field and has published over 300 articles on assessment and treatment.
A study found that LGB veterans were more likely to have experienced military sexual assault, which was directly linked to the presence of PTSD and depression. The research highlights the need for better prevention, training, and interventions to support LGB veterans' mental health.
Researchers found that neural inflammation caused by innate immune system triggers depressive behavior through activation of microglia and expression of inflammation-related cytokines. This discovery could lead to the development of new antidepressants targeting innate immune molecules.
A new study by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that exposing newborn mice to vaginal microbes from stressed female mice can transfer the effects of stress to the newborns. The study indicates that maternal stress affects brain development in offspring and may be influenced by the vaginal microbiota.
A stress-related disorder was associated with an increased risk of developing autoimmune disease in a Swedish study involving over 106,000 patients. The study found that individuals with stress-related disorders were more likely to develop conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.
A comprehensive analysis of research and clinical reports reveals that psychological stress contributes to vision loss and disease progression. A holistic treatment approach combining stress management, patient education, and vision recovery techniques may be effective in interrupting this cycle.
A position paper from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends image rehearsal therapy as a useful treatment option for nightmare disorder and PTSD-associated nightmares. Cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnosis, and other interventions may also be effective, while clonazepam and venlafaxine are not recommended.
Researchers identified Klf9 as a key factor mediating the detrimental effects of chronic stress on neuronal connectivity and fear responses. Silencing Klf9 expression protected mice from stress-induced changes in dendritic spines and behavior.
Researchers found that immunizing with Mycobacterium vaccae creates a lasting stress-resilient phenotype in the brain by blocking sensitizing effects of stress. This could lead to new probiotic-based immunizations for PTSD and anxiety, or treatments for depression.
Research suggests that females with borderline personality disorder experience worsening symptoms during the perimenstrual window of their menstrual cycle. Symptoms such as depression and anxiety increase by at least 30 percent during this time, which is particularly concerning for individuals at high risk of suicide.
Researchers have gained insights into stress granules, clumps of RNAs and proteins that form when cells are stressed, linking them to neurodegenerative diseases. The study reveals the critical role of two enzymes, USP5 and USP13, in disassembling stress granules, which could lead to innovative treatments.
Researchers from the University of Würzburg have discovered a new role for stress granules in the formation and elimination of these structures. The study found that ZFAND1 protein is necessary for normal clearance of stress granules, which can lead to neurodegenerative diseases like ALS and FTD if not properly eliminated.
A new Penn State research study found that posttraumatic stress symptoms increase risks for academic difficulties in student veterans. Partnered women were particularly affected due to relationship problems impacting their academic functioning.
Researchers are studying how stress produces pain and developing a potential treatment for stress-related chronic pain conditions. The team, led by Dr. Frank Porreca, will analyze neurons in the amygdala that respond to stress through signaling at the kappa opioid receptor.
Recent advances in PTSD research focus on brain structure and function, informing efforts to interrupt the processes leading to symptom development. Effective treatments like exposure therapy are based on mechanisms of fear extinction, while new approaches target stress hormones and brain regions involved in emotion dysregulation.
A new Yale study analyzed 14 million newspaper articles from 1900-2016 to find that each war brought a new term for what are now known as PTSD symptoms. This lack of clear terminology may have slowed clinical and scientific progress on the disorder.
A new model considers three stages of oxidation and predicts that heavy loads compress alloys, absorbing less oxygen, while stresses pull them apart, allowing more oxygen to infiltrate. The team's framework matches data in microelectromechanical devices, aiming to improve device performance.
Early life stress may affect mental health through epigenetic changes in both stress-related and sensory networks. This new hypothesis proposes that glucocorticoids prime the epigenetic machinery while neural activation coordinates programming mechanisms.
A Massachusetts General Hospital-led study reveals that chronic early-life stress raises PTSD vulnerability by increasing ghrelin levels in both rat models and human adolescents. Elevated ghrelin levels are associated with increased fear response and susceptibility to mental health disorders.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that vertebrate species, including humans, exposed to stress prenatally tend to have higher stress hormones after birth. The researchers analyzed data from all known studies across vertebrates and found consistent effects of prenatal stress on offspring stress hormone levels.
A new study reveals that social support helped alleviate depressive symptoms for both displaced and nondisplaced residents who survived Hurricane Katrina. However, social support only moderated PTSD symptoms for nondisplaced residents, indicating that displaced individuals require more formal supports.
Research highlights music therapy's effectiveness in treating traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder among military personnel. Studies show that music can rebuild damaged neural connections, promote motivation, and improve patient outcomes.
Research found that African American mothers' parenting stress is associated with epigenetic differences in DNA methylation, particularly in genes related to stress signaling. This discovery has implications for understanding health disparities among African American women and their children.
Researchers at the University of Calgary discovered that stress transmitted from others can change the brain in mice, altering CRH neurons that control the brain's response to stress. In females, these effects are reversed after a social interaction, while males do not exhibit this reversal.
A study published in the Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry found that nearly one-quarter of 12-year-olds from public schools had a psychiatric disorder, with depression and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder being the most common diagnoses. Investing in socio-economic inequality prevention and preventing violent events during child...
A new study by Georgia State University found that social stress causes changes in gut bacteria in Syrian hamsters, regardless of who wins or loses. The researchers discovered that even a single exposure to social stress leads to changes in the gut microbiota, similar to what is seen following other physical stressors.
Researchers have identified a method to prevent posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) by reducing oxidative stress after fractures in an animal model. By inhibiting mitochondrial metabolism or boosting antioxidants, they demonstrated that PTOA can be significantly blunted.
Researchers found that prenatal stress can promote developmental plasticity in babies, making them more likely to benefit from good parenting. However, this effect only manifests when they are reared in supportive environments.
A study by the University of Granada finds that evictions have a significant impact on mental health, with high levels of anxiety (88%) and depression (91%). Women are more likely to experience acute symptoms of anxiety and depression than men.
Researchers found that noise pollution from gas compressors causes chronic stress in birds, leading to lower stress hormone levels and increased anxiety. This stress can have long-term effects on bird fitness and survival rates, particularly among young birds.
Researchers discovered that the stress gene NR4A1 adjusts energy output and synapse number of prefrontal cortex neurons in response to stress. Chronic stress may interfere with normal brain circuit function through this gene's impact on cellular connectivity, but altering its expression protects PFC cells from synaptic loss.
Researchers at Tufts University have developed a novel preclinical model of postpartum depression, showing the involvement of the HPA axis and specific protein KCC2 in inducing disorder. The study provides empirical evidence that dysregulation of the HPA axis and KCC2 can lead to behaviors mimicking postpartum depression.
A study on 757 children and adolescents who experienced the 2013 Ya'an earthquake in China identified three classes of symptoms: resilient, thriving, and struggling. Those transitioning from thriving to struggling were more likely to be girls with higher levels of loss and injury.
Researchers found seals exhibit high stress when great white sharks are present, particularly in areas with no escape routes. Seals show reduced stress at islands with kelp beds and reefs providing safe passage from predators.
Research on early life stress found that high childhood stress was associated with reduced brain activity and poorer risk-taking decisions in a decision-making task. The findings suggest that childhood stress exposure may influence adult decision-making patterns.
A new study identified CRF1 as a master regulator of mast cell activity during stressful challenges, including psychological stress and anaphylaxis. The study showed that mice lacking CRF1 expression were protected against disease, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for treating stress-related diseases.
A self-help book based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been found to reduce symptoms of stress, burnout, and depression. Participants who used the book showed significant improvement in areas such as stress, burnout, and wellbeing compared to those in a waitlist group.
A unique model for Alzheimer's disease has been developed, suggesting a new approach for treating the condition. By reducing stress granule proteins, nerve cell health and memory can be improved.
Researchers found that heart rate variability measured by an electrocardiogram indicated whether subjects had major depression or bipolar disorder. Patients with bipolar disorder had higher blood levels of inflammation biomarkers than those with major depression.
A Tel Aviv University study found that people often project their own experiences with stress onto colleagues, causing miscommunication and missed opportunities. The research showed that a person's individual stress mindset colors their perception of others' health, productivity, and burnout levels.
New research reveals stress's negative effects on brain function, including gene expression alterations, anxiety responses, and mental illness symptoms. Potential paths for relief include astrocyte signaling control, microbiome regulation, and newborn neuron development.
Research presented at the 18th Annual Congress of the South African Heart Association found significant financial stress associated with a 13-fold higher odds of having a heart attack. The study included 106 patients with acute myocardial infarction and found both work stress and financial stress to be risk factors.
A new study in Biological Psychiatry provides direct human evidence for a decades-old theory linking heightened arousal and reactivity in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to overactivity of the locus coeruleus (LC), a brain region that mediates arousal and reactivity. The study found that participants with PTSD exhibited increased ...
A new study by Rice University found that nearly a quarter of Mexican immigrants living near the California-Mexico border without legal authorization have a mental disorder, with major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder being the most prevalent. The study's findings highlight the need for culturally s...
Studies found that female athletes in track and field experienced more bone stress injuries and tendon abnormalities than other Olympic events. Researchers recommend early MRI imaging for early detection of bone stress reactions and pre-competition screening data for chronic lesion detection.
Stellenbosch University researchers found individuals with PTSD had lower levels of specific bacteria, which may contribute to immune dysregulation and inflammation. The study suggests that gut microbiome changes could be an early response to childhood trauma, increasing the risk of developing PTSD later in life.
The VA National PTSD Brain Bank is a resource aimed at providing answers to the complex nature of posttraumatic stress disorder. The bank supports research on the causes, progression, and treatment of PTSD by storing tissue from brains of individuals with PTSD.
A BYU study with mice reveals stress can alter gut microbiota to resemble a high-fat diet, potentially contributing to gender-specific health disparities. Researchers found distinct changes in female mice's digestive microorganisms upon exposure to stress.
Researchers will investigate how individual differences in stress response affect escalation of alcohol drinking after traumatic stress, with potential treatments for vulnerable populations. The study aims to identify neurobiological targets for treating alcohol abuse in PTSD patients.
A University of Missouri study found that horses working in therapeutic riding programs exhibit low physiological and behavioral stress responses. The study suggests that these programs can provide a new lease on life for retired or unwanted horses.
A new meta-analysis of over 6,500 patients found that antidepressants work better than placebos across various mental disorders, with the difference varying by disorder type. The study also highlights the strong placebo effect in depression and its potential for new treatment concepts.
Research by Jamie Whitehouse suggests that stress behaviours like scratching can be a sign of social stress, reducing the likelihood of conflict and promoting transparency. In rhesus macaques, stress scratching lowered aggression rates, especially among non-friends.
A study found that octacosanol, a compound rich in sugarcane and other natural products, can reduce stress and restore normal sleep in mildly stressed mice. The researchers also suggest that octacosanol may be useful for treating insomnia caused by stress due to its potential to increase sleep.
Research highlights the benefits of maternal stress in wildlife, influencing offspring characteristics and behaviors. Prenatal exposure to stress hormones can shape epigenetic changes, behavior, and physiology in offspring.
A new study found that specific brain activity patterns can reliably predict the size of blood pressure and heart rate reactions to mental stress tests. The findings suggest that brain imaging could be a useful tool to identify people at risk for heart disease or who may benefit from stress-reducing interventions.
A study by researchers at Mount Sinai identified a brain mechanism that makes siblings of bipolar patients resilient to the disease. The brain can adapt to its biological risk, opening new avenues for research on enhancing resilience.
Mothers experiencing significant prenatal stress are at a higher risk of their child developing behavioral issues such as hyperactivity and conduct disorder. The study found that these changes can be long-lasting or permanent due to alterations in brain development caused by maternal stress.
Researchers found that stress levels and time since an adverse event can lead to the misidentification of harmless cues as threats, exacerbating anxiety disorders. The study provides new insights into how the human mind generalizes fear and could inform better treatments for PTSD.