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Parental PTSD affects health behavior and aging among offspring of Holocaust survivors

A new study by Prof. Amit Shrira found that Holocaust survivors with PTSD and their adult offspring exhibit unhealthy behavior patterns, age less successfully, and have more medical conditions than those without PTSD or exposure to the Holocaust. The research highlights the intergenerational transmission of trauma and its impact on aging.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalPsychiatry Research·DateJan 22, 2019

Learning from mistakes

A Caltech-led team of researchers has identified individual neurons that monitor our behavior, catching errors and correcting them quickly. The study provides rare recordings of these neurons, which are involved in error monitoring and have implications for psychiatric diseases like obsessive-compulsive disorder.

New position paper recommends treatment options for nightmare disorder in adults

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.

SourceAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateJun 14, 2018

Metabolic effects of antipsychotic medications in youths

A randomized clinical trial found that antipsychotic medications increased body fat and decreased insulin sensitivity in youths with disruptive behavior disorders. The study highlights the need for optimal monitoring of metabolic adverse effects in children and youngsters treated with these medications.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·DateJun 13, 2018

Stress regulates self-harm in rats

Researchers manipulated brain activity and stress hormone levels to control self-inflicted bite wounds in rats, identifying key brain regions involved in self-injurious behavior. The study provides new insights into the regulation of compulsive self-biting and its relationship with stress and reward processing.

Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy linked to brain alterations

A new study has linked air pollution exposure during fetal life with brain abnormalities, including a thinner cortex, which may contribute to impaired cognitive function in school-age children. Exposure to fine particles was associated with difficulties in inhibitory control, related to mental health problems such as addiction and ADHD.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateMar 8, 2018

New UTSA lab addresses pediatric feeding disorders

The UTSA lab conducts behavioral assessments and studies food preferences, finding that children with autism commonly reject vegetables and fruits while preferring high-carbohydrate foods. Researchers develop evidence-based practices to help health providers and parents address feeding challenges and promote healthier diets.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·JournalReview Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateMar 2, 2018