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BU researchers identify brain marker indicating future suicide risk

Researchers have identified a brain marker that may indicate future suicide risk, suggesting potential new treatments and prevention strategies. The study found differences in brain connections among veterans with a history of suicide attempts compared to those without, which could help identify individuals at risk.

SourceBoston University·JournalJournal of Affective Disorders·TypeImaging analysis·DateMay 17, 2023

Sleep phase can reduce anxiety in people with PTSD

Researchers discovered that sleep spindles can alleviate anxiety in people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), contradicting recent findings. The study found that spindle rate frequency was higher during a stressful visit than a control visit, suggesting non-invasive ways to harness the benefits of this sleep stage for symptom ...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalBiological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging·DateMay 3, 2023

Study finds that child victims of violence face long-term psychological effects

A study found that young adults who experienced gunshot, stab, or assault wounds as children have significantly higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than the general population. Ten respondents screened positive for probable PTSD, and nearly 17% reported persistent symptoms related to their injury.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalJournal of Pediatric Surgery·TypeObservational study·DateApr 19, 2023

Education and peer support cut binge-drinking by National Guard members in half, study shows

A randomized trial found tailored education and peer support significantly reduced binge-drinking among Army National Guard members over the course of a year. Participants who received online education sessions and supportive phone calls from veteran peers showed substantial declines in binge-drinking days and scores on risk assessments.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAddiction·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 12, 2023

Dedicated protocol of hyperbaric oxygen therapy is more effective than the drug treatment available today for fibromyalgia caused by head injury

Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that dedicated hyperbaric oxygen therapy is more effective in reducing pain and healing patients with fibromyalgia caused by traumatic brain injury. The treatment resulted in significant improvements in 2 out of 5 patients, including improved pain threshold tests and quality of life indicators.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 22, 2023

Beyond greenspace and bluespace

A new review reveals that environments beyond greenspaces and bluespaces, such as caves, deserts, and glaciers, have potential health benefits. Short-term exposure to solid-state water landscapes showed little evidence of benefits, while longer-term exposure led to improved emotional states, medical treatments for allergies, and physic...

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 3, 2023

Social workers experienced depression, PTSD, and anxiety at alarming rates during pandemic

A new study found that social workers experienced high rates of depression, PTSD, and anxiety during the pandemic, with 40% reporting depression - a rate 4 times higher than the general population. The study highlights the need for trauma-informed approaches and strong mental health supports for staff to sustain the profession.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalInternational Social Work·TypeSurvey·DateMar 1, 2023

Traumas in children and adolescents can be treated effectively

A meta-analysis by researchers at the University of Münster confirms that trauma-focused therapy is highly effective for treating PTSD in children and adolescents. The study found that this form of therapy can change patients' thought patterns and behaviors, enabling them to confront their trauma under therapist supervision.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalThe British Journal of Psychiatry·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 1, 2023

Lending a paw for defence veterans: ‘Clear evidence’ that assistance dogs help improve mental health

A new Australian study found that assistance dogs used in conjunction with traditional therapies provide the most effective treatment outcomes for defence veterans' mental health. Almost 90% of veterans reported improvements in post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety after being matched with an assistance dog.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 28, 2023

Shining a light on the biological origins of PTSD

A Tufts-led team discovered a brain region marker that indicates vulnerability to developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study found heightened amygdala activation in response to neutral facial expressions, suggesting an acquired characteristic of PTSD. This finding may inform early intervention strategies for individual...

SourceTufts University·JournalJournal of Psychiatric Research·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 1, 2023

When chronic stress activates these neurons, behavioral problems like loss of pleasure, depression result

Scientists found that chronic stress increases the activity of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons, leading to behaviors such as anhedonia and depression. Inhibiting POMC neuron activity reduced these behavioral changes. The study suggests that POMC neurons play a key role in increasing susceptibility to stress-related behavioral problems.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJan 24, 2023

One in three US public health workers reports feeling threatened by the public while on the job during the COVID-19 pandemic

A study found that nearly one in three public health workers experienced nonphysical workplace violence, including threats and bullying, leading to increased risks of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts. The more severe the violence, the greater the impact on mental health.

SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateJan 24, 2023

New research shows dynamics of memory-encoding synapses in the brains of live mice

A team of researchers used imaging technology to study synapse dynamics in the brains of live mice, revealing that some new synapses formed during fear conditioning are eliminated over time. This finding supports the 'unlearning' hypothesis and could help scientists better understand brain activity in patients with PTSD.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2023

Treatment for combat-related PTSD advances with method shown to be fast, effective

A new study by University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio shows that treatment for combat-related PTSD can be both fast and effective, with clinically significant reductions in symptoms in over 60% of patients. Long-term remission was observed in more than 50% after three weeks of outpatient therapy.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 5, 2023

Repeated psychological stress is linked with irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science found that chronic social defeat stress (cSDS) induced mice showed higher intestinal transit ratio and visceral pain-related behaviors, similar to IBS. The study suggests that prolonged psychological stress can cause IBS-like symptoms in mice without intestinal lesions.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 7, 2022

Traumatized communities

Researchers developed NETfacts to address severe trauma in communities, combining individual treatment with collective process. The results show that both NET and NETfacts significantly reduced posttraumatic stress disorder and depression, as well as stigma and violence.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2022

The major chord that cures nightmares

A new therapy combining Imagery Rehearsal Therapy with Targeted Memory Reactivation has been shown to significantly reduce nightmare frequency and increase positive dreams in patients. The treatment, which involves associating a major piano chord with positive scenarios, resulted in lasting benefits even three months after the experiment.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeNews article·DateOct 27, 2022

Stem cell study reveals how neurons from PTSD patients react to stress

A new stem cell study provides insight into how neurons from individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) respond to stress hormones. The research found that these cells are hypersensitive to the stress hormone hydrocortisone, which could help explain why some people develop PTSD after trauma exposure.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeObservational study·DateOct 20, 2022

Dogs can smell when we’re stressed, study suggests

A new study found that dogs can differentiate between breath and sweat samples from people before and after a stress-inducing task with an accuracy of 93.75%. The researchers believe that dogs are able to detect changes in volatile organic compounds produced by humans in response to stress.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

Study of veterans finds post-traumatic stress disorder and conditions such as substance misuse, are associated with a cellular marker for early death

A new study finds that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and externalizing psychiatric disorders, such as substance use disorders, are associated with a higher risk of premature death. The researchers discovered that a cellular marker called GrimAge, measured through DNA methylation patterns, is linked to adverse clinical outcomes ...

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 26, 2022

How fear memories get stuck in some brains

Researchers at Linköping University discovered a biological mechanism that increases the strength of fear memories stored in the brain. This finding provides new knowledge on the mechanisms behind anxiety-related disorders and identifies shared mechanisms with alcohol dependence.

SourceLinköping University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2022

Molecular changes in the brain in the aftermath of a traumatic event may help explain long-term susceptibility or resilience

Researchers found that stressed mice exhibited decreased neuron excitability in the dorsal hippocampus, which may drive social avoidance, while resilient mice showed increased excitability. This difference was linked to changes in stress hormone receptors and HCN1 protein expression.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateSep 20, 2022

Interactions between genetics and the environment can explain variability seen in common neuropsychiatric disorders

Researchers used data from over 400,000 individuals to model genetic and environmental factors influencing common neuropsychiatric disorders. Gene-environment interactions accounted for a significant proportion of variability in some disorders, while others showed more substantial contributions.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalCell Reports Medicine·DateSep 7, 2022

The presence of certain bacteria in the saliva might indicate post-trauma in veteran soldiers

A study by Tel Aviv University researchers found a unique oral microbiotic signature in the saliva of veteran soldiers with PTSD, which may help diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder objectively. The study also showed that people with PTSD exhibit the same picture of bacteria in their saliva as those who have experienced combat stres...

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateAug 10, 2022

Only 1 in 5 Syrian children in refugee camps show resilience to mental health problems

New research reveals that only 1 in 5 Syrian children living in refugee camps exhibit resilience to mental health problems. The study found that factors such as the child's environment, caregiver interactions, and access to resources significantly impact their ability to recover from war trauma.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·TypeSurvey·DateAug 4, 2022

How service dogs reduce PTSD symptoms: factors and mechanisms

A new analysis of service dog-veteran pairs found that lower dog excitability and closer relationships between veterans and their dogs are associated with reduced PTSD symptoms. Better mental health outcomes were also linked to perceptions of easy care for the dog and more frequent interactions initiated by the veteran.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJul 27, 2022

Making a memory positive or negative

Salk researchers identify neurotensin as a key molecule in the brain's valence assignment process, which associates good or bad feelings with memories. The discovery could lead to a better understanding of why some people retain more negative emotions than positive ones, and may pave the way for new therapeutic targets.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature·DateJul 20, 2022

Study examines pandemic’s impact on volunteer health care workers

A new study found that volunteer healthcare workers who served in field hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced high levels of secondary traumatic stress, but those with higher compassion satisfaction showed milder symptoms. The researchers also found that avoidant emotional coping tactics significantly increased burnout and...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalTraumatology An International Journal·TypeSurvey·DateJul 12, 2022