Researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience are working to understand how the brain regulates stress and developing new treatments for conditions like PTSD and anxiety disorders. They aim to identify brain regions that can be targeted to teach people to better control their stress responses through neurofeedback.
Intrinsic disorder in CuInSnS₄ influences its optical properties, with excitons showing direction-dependent responses. The discovery sheds light on the relationship between disorder and material properties.
Researchers found that short-term stress sharpens bees' ability to detect visual features such as contrast and fine detail. Stress also speeds up decision-making, allowing bees to act rapidly and effectively in potentially threatening situations.
Scientists have identified dopamine as a key player in mediating stress-induced courtship suppression in male Drosophila fruit flies. The duration of stress exposure significantly influenced the persistence of suppressed courtship behavior, highlighting the importance of dopamine signaling in this process.
A small, wireless polygraph system can track multiple physiological signals to capture a real-time view of stress in the body. The device can help clinicians detect stress and potential discomfort in patients, including infants or the elderly who may be unable to communicate.
Research at the University of Vienna found a link between gut bacterial diversity and acute stress response in healthy adults. Higher microbial diversity was associated with stronger hormonal and subjective stress reactivity, suggesting the gut microbiome may play a role in regulating the acute stress response.
The BD² Integrated Network Longitudinal Cohort Study combines clinical, biological, neuroimaging, and real-world behavioral data to transform understanding of bipolar disorder. The release includes data from 615 participants, covering mood, cognition, brain structure, wearable sensor data, and biological samples.
Researchers found a direct line of communication between the brain's stress centers and decision-making regions, which is disrupted by alcohol. This disruption can lead to unhealthy habits and relapse during recovery from alcohol use disorder.
New research reveals how psychological stress worsens atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, by activating a specific neural pathway. This pathway links the brain to immune responses in the skin, leading to increased inflammation and worsening symptoms.
A study of nearly 700,000 health records reveals that young people with cannabis use disorder are more likely to be diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, recurrent major depression, and anxiety disorders. In contrast, adults with cannabis use disorder are less likely to develop these conditions.
Researchers at IISc have mapped a neural circuit that links stress to itch. Stress activates specific neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area, which directly regulate itch and reduce scratching behavior. This study provides new insights into the complex relationship between emotional states and sensory perception.
Research found hormonal contraceptive use lowers cardiovascular risk in most women, but not those with PTSD. The study analyzed healthcare records of 31,824 women and suggests clinicians consider stress-related psychiatric disorders when discussing hormonal contraceptives.
Researchers at UC Irvine developed a multimodal bioelectronic wrist-worn device to track molecular stress biomarkers alongside physiological stress indicators. The device provides an accurate picture of how stress is experienced by humans, addressing a critical healthcare gap.
The study found that mania accounts for more than 80% of the genetic variation in bipolar disorder. The researchers identified 71 genetic variants linked specifically to mania, including 18 regions of genes that had never previously been associated with bipolar disorder.
A large longitudinal study found that prolonged physical inactivity increases the body's stress burden by midlife. Engaging in regular physical activity, especially in adulthood, appears to protect against this effect. The study suggests that exercise habits throughout adulthood play a crucial role in coping with long-term stress.
Patients who undergo unscheduled cesarean deliveries are at substantially increased risk for acute psychological stress during childbirth. Results show that over 1 in 4 patients experienced clinically significant acute stress shortly after birth.
Cells use a complex rhythm to respond to different types of stress, such as starvation or salt stress, with insulin-driven protein DAF-16 acting as a key regulator. The research may contribute to understanding diseases like diabetes and cancer, as well as aging.
A new study from Aalto University found that online shopping is more strongly linked to stress than reading news or watching adult entertainment. Social media use and gaming also correlated with increased stress levels, while time spent on news sites reported lower stress levels.
A recent study published in Neuropsychopharmacology found that rats with higher natural stress levels are more likely to self-administer cannabis. The study also identified links between stress hormone levels and cognitive flexibility, suggesting potential early markers for problematic drug use patterns.
A Rice University study found that financial worries shape bedtime behaviors and predict poor sleep quality. The research identified "stress-before-bed behaviors" as a key mechanism linking economic worry and job insecurity to declining sleep health. Practicing healthy sleep hygiene behaviors can help break the stress-sleep cycle.
Researchers have discovered that stress hormones can silence crucial neuronal genes by interacting with long noncoding RNAs and the polycomb repressive complex 2. This mechanism may provide a new understanding of how stress affects gene expression, particularly in relation to synaptic function and calcium signaling.
The BD² Discovery Research program awards $18 million to researchers exploring the neural circuitry of bipolar disorder. This funding enables the development of innovative treatment approaches and accelerates better care for those living with the condition.
Researchers at Wayne State University are exploring the feasibility and acceptability of virtual reality-based Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) as a tool to reduce stress in young adults with type 1 diabetes. The study aims to assess the effects of MBSR-VR on glycemic control, mindfulness, and psychological distress.
The review synthesizes clinical evidence on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), autism spectrum disorder, eating disorders, and existential distress. It identifies consistent patterns across diverse clinical applications and highlights the therapeutic potential of MDMA, including its oxytocin-mediated ...
Chronic stress reprograms tumor microenvironment, fueling cancer development and metastasis through stress-activated signaling pathways. Stress management may now be part of precision oncology, suggesting potential interventions like beta-blockers and behavioral approaches.
Research synthesizes current evidence on psychedelic therapy's potential to fundamentally alter treatment paradigms for depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Chronic stress contributes significantly to psychiatric illness worldwide, leaving traditional treatments with residual symptoms or side effects.
Research published by the American Psychological Association found that short exposure to inspiring media can reduce stress and increase hope. Participants who watched inspirational videos or followed guided meditations reported feeling more hopeful and experiencing lower stress levels than those with no media use instructions.
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered that protein ASPL regulates stress granule disassembly by facilitating VCP phosphorylation and stabilizes interactions among core stress granule proteins. Additionally, ASPL facilitates stress granule assembly independent of VCP by stabilizing G3BP interactions.
A new study found that deployment to a combat zone can have long-lasting effects on intimate partners, including increased stress and poor relationship quality. Researchers followed a sample of U.S. Army soldiers from before deployment to eight years later, discovering a link between veterans' cognitive decline and partner stress.
Breakthrough Discoveries for Thriving with Bipolar Disorder (BD²) has announced a fourth round of Discovery Research funding for bipolar disorder. The program aims to support groundbreaking research into the genetic, molecular, cellular, circuit, and behavioral mechanisms of the disorder.
A study analyzing acute and chronic stress on rat brains reveals distinct effects on mental health. Acute stress triggers anxiety-like behaviors, primarily in males, whereas chronic stress is linked to depressive symptoms.
A new study by University of Virginia researchers reveals high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression among residents exposed to the 2023 chemical spill. The survey of 1,000 adults found elevated psychological toll with half reporting worsening physical health symptoms.
The BD² Integrated Network, a collaborative research model, aims to improve care and outcomes for people with bipolar disorder. The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute will receive $2.3 million to join the network, accelerating recruitment and advancing discovery.
A study by the University of Hong Kong found that Mondays uniquely drive long-term biological stress in older adults, with a significant increase in stress hormone levels up to two months later. The 'Anxious Monday' effect is linked to dysregulation of the body's stress response system and has implications for heart health.
A new study by ECU Masters student Tee-Jay Scott and Professor Joanne Dickson found that acute stress may impair key brain functions involved in managing emotions, particularly in people living with depression, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder. The researchers suggest that these disruptions could undermine the effectiveness...
A comprehensive review article synthesizes decades of research on stress hormone systems in primate brains, revealing key differences between rodents and primates. The findings highlight the importance of considering anatomical differences when developing treatments for stress-related psychiatric disorders.
A new scoping review confirmed the lack of research on managing menopause symptoms in women with serious mental illnesses. The study suggests that psychoeducation programs are essential to support these women during the menopause transition.
A new study found that prenatal stress alters the expression of tiny RNA molecules in newborn blood, particularly in female children, affecting key enzymes in the brain's stress-regulation system. This may explain why some children are more vulnerable to developmental or psychiatric challenges.
A Baycrest study reveals that vivid visual imagery is associated with a higher risk of developing PTSD, while individuals with strong spatial imagery are less likely to develop the disorder. This research provides valuable insights into how trauma processing and memory contribute to PTSD.
A Griffith University study reveals that reframing stress as a motivator can lead to improved problem-solving skills and personal growth. Participants who underwent a 15-minute online stress mindset intervention showed no negative impact on their willingness to support others.
A new study published in Brain Medicine found that administering Osanetant shortly after a traumatic event significantly dampens fear expression in female mice. This suggests that targeting fear memory at its roots may be an effective intervention to reduce PTSD-like behaviors.
Researchers have confirmed a neurobiochemical link between dopamine and cognitive flexibility through PET imaging, showing increased dopamine production with cognitively demanding tasks. This finding may lead to the development of more precise treatment strategies for neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Scientists at deCODE genetics identified associations between rare loss-of-function variants in HECTD2 and AKAP11 genes and the risk of bipolar disorder. The study suggests that these gene products may be promising targets for new treatments, as they interact with key cellular pathways involved in the disorder.
Researchers found that prior stress exposure impacts TBI outcomes differently in male and female rats, with males showing increased anxiety but protected social motivation, while females exhibit opposite effects on social motivation.
The BD² Integrated Network, a collaborative model connecting bipolar disorder research and care, has expanded to 10 sites with four new institutions joining the network. The model combines traditional longitudinal cohort study and learning health network to improve outcomes for people with bipolar disorder.
A recent MSU study found that experiencing stress in mid-gestation affects girls' HPA axis and temperament, while late gestation stress impacts boys. The research team discovered periods of higher sensitivity to stress in both mid and late gestation, but with differing patterns for girls and boys.
A new study suggests that chronic stress and an unhealthy diet may work together to fuel the early development of pancreatic cancer. Researchers found that both stress-related neurotransmitters and obesity-related hormones activate a protein called CREB, which is linked to cancer cell growth.
A recent study found an association between chronic stress and an increased risk of stroke in younger women, but not men. The study, which looked at 426 participants aged 18-49 who experienced an ischemic stroke with no known cause, found that moderate stress levels were associated with a 78% increased risk of stroke.
Researchers at Kyoto University investigated the effects of two-hit stress on mice, finding that it leads to increased microglia activity, neuronal loss, and decreased brain connectivity. Microglia replacement therapy showed promise in rescuing affected mice, with female mice exhibiting higher stress resilience.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University found that chronic stress changes how the brain processes sounds, with higher decibel levels needed to trigger similar responses. This effect may be driven by a type of inhibitory cell becoming more active under repeated stress.
A six-week stress management program, O'stress, has been shown to improve the emotional health of seniors by increasing problem-solving strategies and reducing anxiety. The program also addresses emotional contagion, a significant factor in psychological distress among seniors.
A cross-sectional study found that detained immigrants experience high rates of poor health, mental illness, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Longer detention periods are associated with higher health harms, emphasizing the need for improved immigration detention conditions.
A long-term study on wild monkeys in Thailand reveals that maternal stress hormone levels during early pregnancy can have a lasting effect on the stress system of the offspring. The study found that elevated stress hormones later during pregnancy or after birth did not have the same effects.
A study found that propranolol reduces tremors in Parkinson's disease by inhibiting brain activity and reducing the amplifying effect of the stress hormone noradrenaline. Propranolol also works to reduce tremors at rest, suggesting a role for the stress system even when not under stress.
Studies activated neurons in different brain regions to make male and female mice resilient to stress, revealing distinct sex-specific mechanisms. Gene expression changes were also observed in brain regions of stressed resilient vs non-resilient mice, suggesting potential for lasting protective changes.
Studies have shown that the lateral habenula regulates stress-related respiratory responses via the monoaminergic system, which includes dopaminergic and serotoninergic pathways. Researchers found that electrical stimulation of the LHb mimicked a stress state in rats, significantly increasing respiratory frequency.
Researchers found that pregnant women experiencing life stress, anxiety, depression, or PTSD had distinct oral microbiomes. These microbe communities showed high alpha diversity in those with anxiety and depression, while post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms were linked to high beta diversity.
Scientists discovered that social stress raises oxidative stress in the brains of low-status male cichlid fish, which is linked to poorer mental and neurological health. The study found that high-status fish have lower levels of oxidative stress and higher antioxidant capacity.
A study found that oral microbiomes vary with life stress and mental health symptoms in pregnant women, differing from gut microbiome associations. Women experiencing anxiety or depression showed high alpha diversity, while those with PTSD symptoms had high beta diversity.
Researchers at SickKids have discovered that stress changes how our brain encodes and retrieves aversive memories, leading to generalized fearful responses. A promising intervention has been identified to limit this effect and potentially reduce the harm caused by PTSD.