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How neural inhibition could reduce alcohol use

A Scripps Research team found that inhibiting stress neurons may decrease alcohol consumption in comorbid cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder. However, this approach did not mitigate anxiety. The study suggests that CRF plays a role in alcohol use among those with comorbid PTSD and AUD.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateMar 20, 2024

Clinical, biomarker, and research tests among US government personnel and their family members involved in anomalous health incidents

A recent study investigated anomalous health incidents among US government personnel and their family members. The researchers found that individuals experiencing these incidents did not show significant differences in clinical measures compared to matched control participants, except for fatigue, posttraumatic stress, and depression.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateMar 18, 2024

Virtual reality exposure plus electric brain stimulation offers a promising treatment for PTSD

A new study combines virtual reality exposure with transcranial direct current stimulation to treat post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans. The innovative approach shows significant reductions in PTSD symptom severity and accelerates psychological adjustment, offering hope for an effective treatment.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 6, 2024

Study: New treatment method helps reduce suicide among military and veterans

A study by Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that crisis response planning can rapidly reduce suicidal thoughts among U.S. military members and veterans receiving massed cognitive processing therapy for PTSD. The intervention was tested in a randomized controlled trial involving 157 participants, with promising results.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalJournal of Anxiety Disorders·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 14, 2024

Mount Sinai study shows that circulating immune cells drawn to the brain during stress can control emotional behaviors

Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital have discovered that circulating immune cells can be drawn to the brain during stress and alter emotional behavior. The study found that these immune cells release an enzyme called MMP8, which breaks down proteins in the brain and impairs social behavior.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2024

Ketamine helped many severely depressed veterans, study shows

A study of 215 veterans found that nearly half experienced significant depression score drops, while about one quarter saw a halving of their scores. About 15% achieved full remission after six weeks of ketamine infusions, suggesting the treatment can provide substantial relief for those with complex mental health needs.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 31, 2024

Pilot study demonstrates potential for PTSD treatment program for veterans, first responders

A pilot study demonstrates the effectiveness of a new treatment program for veterans and first responders struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The program, called Warriors' Ascent, achieved a substantially lower dropout rate than traditional treatments, reducing depression, PTSD, and high-risk drinking in participants.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournal of Psychotherapy Integration·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 25, 2024

Psychotherapy effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder following multiple traumatic events

A meta-analysis of 10,600 patients reveals that psychological interventions are highly effective in treating PTSD following multiple traumatic events. Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy is the first line of treatment recommended in national guidelines, offering improved patient and therapist outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalThe Lancet Psychiatry·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 12, 2024

Do symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder facilitate substance use as a coping method among children after a natural disaster?

A study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that certain symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated with a higher risk of substance use among children after a natural disaster. The study identified irritable behavior and angry outburst symptoms as being linked to the greatest risk for coping through...

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Traumatic Stress·DateJan 10, 2024

Traumatic stress associated with smaller brain region

A study from Duke University found that people with PTSD have a significantly smaller cerebellum, especially in areas related to emotion and memory. Researchers hope this discovery will lead to targeted treatments and more research on the brain region's role in PTSD.

SourceDuke University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateJan 9, 2024

PTSD, depression, and anxiety nearly doubles in Israel in aftermath of Hamas attack

A nationwide prospective study found a sharp increase in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety in Israelis following the October 2023 Hamas attack. The study nearly doubled the prevalence of these conditions, which were already higher than those reported in previous studies on terrorist events.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeObservational study·DateJan 5, 2024

New study shows Transcendental Meditation significantly reduced PTSD and anxiety in frontline nurses during COVID-19 pandemic by more than half over a 3-month period

A study published in the Journal of Nursing Administration found that Transcendental Meditation significantly reduced PTSD, anxiety, and burnout in frontline nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The technique improved flourishing by 15% and decreased symptoms by more than half over a 3-month period.

SourceTranscendental Meditation for Nurses·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 11, 2023

Novel screening tool and recovery program may help reduce mental health problems after trauma

A novel mental health risk screen for hospitalized patients accurately predicts mental health outcomes, with 10 items correctly identifying 75% of those who later developed mental health issues. A tailored recovery program can also be effective in reducing mental health problems after trauma, increasing health equity among historically...

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateDec 1, 2023

Traumatic memories are represented differently than regular sad memories in the brains of people with PTSD, new research shows

A new study found that traumatic memories in people with PTSD are represented in the brain in a distinct way, deviating from regular memory processing. The hippocampus and posterior cingulate cortex regions showed different neural responses to traumatic and sad autobiographical memories.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeObservational study·DateNov 30, 2023

October issues of American Psychiatric Association journals look at factors influencing depression and PTSD, guidance on handling drugs laced with fentanyl, and more

The latest American Psychiatric Association journals offer insights into depression and PTSD factors, as well as guidance on handling drugs laced with fentanyl. The October issues also feature a joint commentary on nuclear war's impact on health professionals.

SourceAmerican Psychiatric Association·JournalAmerican Journal of Psychiatry·DateOct 2, 2023

Tetris to the rescue of women having experienced a traumatic birth: A large-scale study confirms its effectiveness for prevention

A large-scale study confirms that playing Tetris for fifteen minutes can prevent psychological trauma in mothers after a difficult birth. The therapeutic activity was found to interfere with memory consolidation of traumatic images, thereby preventing the development of post-traumatic stress symptoms linked to childbirth.

SourceUniversity of Lausanne·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateSep 28, 2023

Posttraumatic brain activity predicts resilience to PTSD

A study published in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging found that greater activation in the right inferior frontal gyrus predicts better recovery from early PTSD symptoms. This breakthrough suggests a potential role for cortical/cognitive regions in regulating fear and PTSD development.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 21, 2023

Post Office Scandal victims suffering from significant PTSD and depression, study shows

Researchers found that wrongly accused Post Office Scandal victims experience high levels of clinically significant post-traumatic stress and depressive symptoms, regardless of conviction outcome. The study highlights the need for mental health support and reliable investigation practices within the criminal justice system.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalLegal and Criminological Psychology·TypeSurvey·DateSep 7, 2023

Directly involved war veterans exhibit nearly twice the PTSD symptoms years after 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict, affecting parents' well-being

A study by Hebrew University researchers found that directly involved war veterans exhibited almost double the level of PTSD symptoms compared to indirectly active veterans. Parents of active veterans experienced heightened secondary traumatic stress, with mothers bearing a greater burden than fathers.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalEuropean Journal of Psychotraumatology·TypeObservational study·DateAug 16, 2023

Preying on hungry, anxious worms

In a new study, Salk Institute scientists discovered that dopamine regulates anxious worm behavior in the presence of nipping predators. The findings illuminate how this dopamine-regulated brain pathway may be related to anxiety and could provide insight into human conditions like PTSD.

SourceSalk Institute·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2023

University of Chicago Education Lab study finds school-based counseling program reduces PTSD symptoms among adolescent girls

A University of Chicago Education Lab study found that a school-based group counseling program can significantly reduce PTSD, anxiety, and depression among Black and Latina girls. The program, Working on Womanhood (WOW), was found to reduce PTSD symptoms by 22% among adolescent girls in Chicago neighborhood schools.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 7, 2023