Mount Sinai researchers have identified a brain circuit, the anterior hypothalamic nucleus (AHN), that helps explain how prior adversity makes the brain more reactive to future stress. The study found that dialing AHN activity up or down directly altered how strongly mice responded to stress.
A national survey of Ukrainian residents found that 31.2% met criteria for PTSD or complex PTSD, with factors including being female, older age, and displacement due to the war. The study emphasizes the need for sustained mental health support in ongoing conflicts.
A University of Arizona study found that one in three residents who drank contaminated water still report symptoms of post-traumatic stress. The researchers surveyed 363 people and found that 34% reported symptoms, including worry about contamination and sleeping badly.
Researchers found that the amygdalostriatal transition zone, a small brain region near the amygdala, is responsible for sustained fear responses. The study provides new insights into the brain's fear circuitry and may lead to the development of more effective therapies for fear and panic disorders.
Researchers identified a natural antibody, anti-NMDAR1, that may protect the brain after traumatic brain injury, reducing the risk of depression and PTSD. The study found that Marines with higher levels of the antibody had lower depression and PTSD symptoms after a TBI.
Research among 9/11 responders reveals that brain's reward processing plays a key role in building resilience after trauma, with highly resilient individuals showing distinct neural responses to positive emotions. This finding supports the potential use of positive emotion-based interventions to prevent or treat PTSD in trauma-exposed ...
SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 10, 2026
A new report from City St George's University of London estimates that healthcare costs for women reporting childbirth-related PTSD are over twice as high as those for women without symptoms. The report also found that early prevention of traumatic births and childbirth-related PTSD could save the NHS an estimated £26 million every year.
A new study reveals striking biological similarities between five major illnesses, including long Covid and PTSD, suggesting common underlying mechanisms. Chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis may be driven by shared regulatory networks in immune and metabolic systems.
A University of East Anglia report suggests that tens of thousands of new mothers in Britain may be suffering from undiagnosed PTSD after childbirth. The report highlights the need for better guidance and training for GPs to identify post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.
A large-scale study on Oregon psilocybin services found sustained benefits for anxiety, depression, and PTSD, with few adverse events. Participants reported lasting improvements in mental health and wellness, and the study provides valuable insights for policymakers considering expanded access to psychedelics for mental health conditions.
A multisite cohort study of 346 adults receiving psilocybin services in Oregon found significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms, as well as enhanced well-being and life satisfaction. The study suggests that Oregon's regulated psilocybin services are generally safe and effective for mental health treatment
A 15-year study found that tracking trauma symptoms during the first two years after a disaster is a better predictor of long-term mental health than a single assessment. Continuous monitoring identifies those at risk of long-term psychological distress, highlighting the importance of regular mental health check-ups.
A systematic review of 68 studies finds varied psychological responses to collective trauma, with exposure intensity and social circumstances playing key roles. Social connection also offers protective benefits.
Individuals in psychotherapy for trauma from killing in war experienced improvements in psychosocial functioning. IOK participants showed greater improvements in work, social, and family life compared to PCT group at posttreatment.
Researchers at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin investigated the use of THC to alleviate PTSD-related nightmares. The study found that more than half of participants responded to treatment, with over a third experiencing complete disappearance of nightmares. The medication was also well-tolerated, with moderate side effects reported.
A preliminary study found that people taking Prozac after a traumatic injury reported fewer PTSD symptoms and lower pain levels in the year following their injury. The study suggests that preventative medical interventions could reduce the formation of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.
A pilot clinical trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy in veterans with severe PTSD found that 75% of participants were in remission one month after treatment, with no serious adverse events reported. The results suggest the protocol may be a game-changer for those struggling with treatment-resistant PTSD.
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.
A study led by Erica Heinrich highlights a critical gap in detecting and treating breathing discomfort or dyspnea in ventilated patients. Dyspnea is often hard to recognize, but carbon dioxide levels may be more significant drivers of breathlessness than oxygen levels.
A recent analysis found that rural US Veterans with serious mental illness (SMI) are more likely to have co-occurring conditions but less likely to receive SMI care. Rural Veterans also face challenges in accessing telehealth and multidisciplinary care.
The STAR study found that an integrated Trauma-Focused-CBTp was safe and highly effective for people with co-occurring diagnoses of psychosis and PTSD. Participants showed significant improvements in various outcomes, including PTSD symptom severity, psychosis symptoms, mood disorders, and emotional well-being.
A new study investigates whether obesity contributes to faster brain aging and earlier memory decline. Researchers found that high K63 polyubiquitination levels in young obese rats matched those seen in older brains, suggesting a connection between obesity-induced and age-related memory loss.
A new study reveals that written exposure therapy can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms, comparable to intensive treatments. The narrative writing process allows patients to confront memories, fostering a sense of control over their experiences.
A Virginia Tech study found that female brains use a molecular process not seen in male brains to form fear memories. The researchers suggest that treatments for PTSD may need to be tailored differently for men and women. The discovery could lead to better understanding of PTSD and more effective treatments.
A team of researchers from Penn State and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has been awarded a five-year, $3.2 million grant to study the biological mechanisms behind post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and exaggerated fear responses. The research aims to better understand how traumatic events lead to long-lasting changes in the ...
A study published in Cell Reports Medicine reveals that traumatic experiences during critical periods of life, particularly childhood to early adulthood, have lasting impacts on brain development and behavior. The research found that the timing of trauma, not its type, plays a key role in determining distinct behavioral outcomes.
Researchers found that individuals with stronger brain responses to negative information were more resilient in their thoughts and feelings. They accepted more offers with mixed consequences, indicating a lower value on negative outcomes. This study suggests that controlling negative thoughts may enable people to build mental resilience.
Researchers identified 16 clinical laboratory markers linked to PTSD, including cholesterol and glucose levels, liver indicators, and red and white blood cell counts. These biomarkers may reveal the physical impact of PTSD on the body, supporting timely interventions to mitigate chronic disease risk.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio have made a significant breakthrough in treating combat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by adding navigated TMS to psychotherapy, showing an 85% reduction in symptoms. The study used a patented MRI-guided, robotic-controlled form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), known as navigated T...
A new study found that over 40% of children who experienced peer victimization showed clinically significant trauma symptoms. Researchers tracked 250 students' experiences with peer victimization and found that trauma-related symptoms persisted for more than six months.
A new BGU study examines the emotional labor of teachers during wartime, revealing that those who fake emotions are at higher risk of psychological collapse. The research emphasizes the importance of fostering internal motivation and clear educational identities to mitigate teacher attrition.
A comprehensive scoping review of 37 studies found that Ukrainian children exposed to a decade of war face high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidality, and self-harm. Children who had been forcibly displaced, exposed to violence, or separated from parents faced higher risks of mental health problems.
Treatment with psychedelics triggers large-scale reconfiguration of brain network dynamics driven by myelin remodeling, which might augment or sustain therapeutic effects. The study suggests that enhancing myelination could be a viable strategy to promote longer-term neural health and recovery from PTSD.
Chronic sleep disruption persistently impairs social memory by differentially encoding oxytocin release in hippocampal CA2 during novelty encoding and prelimbic cortex during retrieval of familiar individuals. Restoration of PVN-OXT neurons enhances OXT release and produces sustained behavioral recovery.
A new study has found that astrocytes are crucial for aversive memory, including learning what to fear and recalling memories. The findings challenge long-held assumptions about fear memory and suggest new treatment approaches for disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder.
A new study in Biological Psychiatry found that emotional pain (guilt, shame, sadness, loss of joy) weighs more heavily on individuals with PTSD, impairing daily functioning more than fear. The research identified two distinct PTSD profiles: one centered on fear and the other on emotional pain.
Researchers developed a new approach to treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using noninvasive brain stimulation, which significantly reduced intrusive memories in individuals with the condition. The treatment targeted the hippocampus and surrounding regions, showing promising results in alleviating PTSD symptoms.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that children whose parents were injured by firearms experience substantial mental health impacts, with a 42% increase in psychiatric diagnoses and 60% increase in mental health visits. Early, targeted interventions are needed to address this growing need.
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.
A study analyzing personal injury claims data for England and Wales found that mental trauma succeeds 1 in 7 dog-related injuries, resulting in the need for time off work and/or loss of earnings. Most incidents occurred in public spaces, with unrestrained dogs being a common cause.
Scientists at Salk Institute find protein CCN1, secreted by astrocytes, maintains stable neural circuits in adult brains. The discovery could lead to new therapeutics for brain injury and stroke.
A study among WTC responders with chronic PTSD found measurable physical changes in their brain structure, including cortical changes and imbalance of myelinated to unmyelinated neurons. These changes were most strongly associated with re-experiencing symptoms in individuals with PTSD.
SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 17, 2025
Early life adversity disrupts activity across multiple brain networks when threats are encountered later in life, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study found that mice subjected to adversity in infancy showed abnormal brain activity in response to threats as adults.
A new study reveals that 16% of teens exposed to both phases of the Russo-Ukrainian war experience PTSD symptoms, while over 10% experience severe depressive symptoms. The study highlights the need for immediate and sustained attention to support Ukrainian youth's mental health needs.
Researchers are formulating and evaluating an intranasal oxytocin delivery system to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The project aims to enhance the efficacy and palatability of existing treatments, expanding on prior research that explored using oxytocin to treat alcoholism.
A Mount Sinai study reveals PTSD may accelerate brain aging in World Trade Center responders, with longer exposure duration further amplifying the effect. The study uses deep learning-based brain age models to estimate brain age and provides new evidence for the long-term impact of trauma on neurological health.
A recent study by UCLA Health investigators found that mental health conditions significantly raise the likelihood of developing liver cancer among US veterans living with cirrhosis and hepatitis C. The study suggests that these disorders limit access to hepatitis C care, reducing the chance of a cure.
A University of Sydney-led study found that 42% of Australian adults experienced traumatic events as children, leading to a 50% higher risk of developing mental health or substance use disorders. Childhood trauma is linked to chronic physical health conditions and can have lifelong consequences.
A new study found that parental emotional support helps protect children from anxiety and distress during wartime. Parents who encouraged open conversations and validated emotions created a safe space strengthening their children's resilience in the face of conflict.
A new study reveals that astrocytes, a type of glial cell, are responsible for stabilizing memories through repeated engagement. The researchers found that Fos activity in astrocytes only occurs during recall, and that these cells can be activated to produce stable memories.
A groundbreaking study by Florida Atlantic University researchers found that working with service dogs can slow cellular aging in female veterans. The study, which involved female veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, revealed promising biological benefits associated with service dog training.
Researchers identify abnormal sugar modifications linked to depressive behaviors, offering potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Chronic stress disrupts sugar chains in the prefrontal cortex, triggering depression.
Researchers identified a promising treatment for PTSD, chronic pain, and alcohol misuse in rats. The study found that PPL-138 selectively reduced anxiety-like behavior, pain responses, and alcohol consumption in those with trauma-related anxiety.
A new review from the University of Victoria suggests that psilocybin and 5-MeO-DMT may help treat concussions and traumatic brain injuries by increasing neuroplasticity and reducing inflammation. The compounds have shown promise in treating depression, anxiety, and other conditions in clinical research.
A study published in Science Advances reveals that an autism-linked mutation disrupts brain circuits responsible for erasing fear memories, leading to PTSD-like symptoms. By reactivating specific neurons, researchers were able to reverse the behavioral and physiological abnormalities.
A University of East Anglia study found that trauma-focused CBT significantly improved PTSD symptoms, anxiety, depression, and emotion regulation in children with multiple traumas. The therapy was effective and safe, even for those with complex and severe symptoms.
A three-year study found that smartwatches can detect early signs of PTSD among Israelis who watched extensive media coverage of the Oct 7 attacks. Participants who developed PTSD showed sharper increases in stress levels and declines in mood, physical activity, and sleep quality.
A study found that memories acquired while awake are stored in a more permanent form during REM sleep, requiring the reactivation of only three adult-born neurons involved in memory formation. This process is synchronized with theta rhythm activity and essential for proper memory function.
Researchers found a high prevalence of mental disorder symptoms among adults who claim past-life memories, with religiosity and spirituality being protective factors. Childhood phobias were associated with lower happiness and more symptoms of mental disorders.
Leading trauma researcher Professor Philip Hyland's work on Complex PTSD fundamentally changed World Health Organization diagnostic criteria, impacting how clinicians worldwide assess and treat trauma survivors. His innovative measurement tools, such as the International Trauma Questionnaire, challenge decades of clinical tradition and...