A wireless sweat sensor developed by Caltech researcher Wei Gao accurately detects cortisol levels in near real-time, allowing for non-invasive monitoring of stress and mental health conditions. The sensor has been tested on healthy individuals and patients with depression and PTSD, showing promising results.
Two pilot studies reveal changes in brain connectivity related to stress and problem-solving ability, suggesting a biomarker for stress-induced cognitive impairment. The findings, published in Brain Imaging and Behavior and NeuroImage, could ultimately inform treatment strategies for patients suffering from stress-related illnesses.
A study found that UK military personnel drink to cope with anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms, increasing the risk of alcohol misuse. Personnel who drink alone or at home are more likely to meet the criteria for alcohol misuse and binge drinking.
Research highlights negative health effects of climate change on children's health outcomes, including increased mortality, morbidity, and psychological trauma. The crisis can begin while a child is still in utero, due to maternal stress, poor nutrition, and exposure to air pollution.
A new University of Liverpool-led study found that two-thirds of obstetricians and gynaecologists experience traumatic work-related events, leading to clinically significant PTSD symptoms in 18% of consultants and trainees. The culture in obstetrics and gynaecology is identified as a barrier to trauma support.
A new UCLA-led study suggests chronic opioid treatment may raise the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in individuals who are likely to experience severe emotional stress. Researchers found that mice given morphine before and after a traumatic event showed enhanced fear learning, indicating increased PTSD susceptibility.
Research by University of Houston psychology professor Anka Vujanovic reveals that distress tolerance amplifies associations between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and alcohol use severity. PTSD symptom severity is also associated with heavy drinking, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
A recent study found that Vietnam-era women veterans continue to struggle with stress-related mental health conditions, including PTSD, major depression, and generalized anxiety disorder. Exposure to sexual discrimination and harassment while deployed was a significant risk factor for poor health outcomes and increased disability.
A Baylor University study found that strong same-sex friendships among male firefighters can help reduce job stress, but loving relationships with their wives may increase anxiety. The 'marriage effect' was a surprise, as married men have better health and lower mortality risk compared to single or divorced men.
A nationwide cohort study of 1.2 million people found that refugees and migrants who stay in their host country for longer are more likely to adopt local alcohol and drug behaviors and access healthcare. The study suggests that acculturative processes may lead to an increased risk of substance use disorders over time.
A large Swedish study found stress-related disorders associated with a higher risk of life-threatening infections like meningitis and sepsis. Younger age at diagnosis and co-occurring psychiatric conditions further increased the risk, while SSRI antidepressant use appeared protective.
A new study found that women who experienced PTSD symptoms were at a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer, particularly those with high-grade serous histotype. Researchers analyzed data from the Nurses' Health Study II and found a significant association between PTSD and increased ovarian cancer risk.
Researchers discovered a receptor on brain cells that promotes resilience to stress and may be a useful biomarker for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 3 (S1PR3) protein was found to be associated with reduced symptoms of PTSD in human patients.
A comic book by Ann E. Fink examines the bioethics of treating a torturer's PTSD, highlighting the importance of considering social dimensions of traumatic stress. The comic raises critical questions about the responsibilities of clinicians and researchers, as well as individual rights and collective social responsibilities.
A study by Florida Atlantic University demonstrates the feasibility and efficacy of animal-assisted interventions in reducing stress among military patients undergoing aeromedical evacuation. The results show significant decreases in cortisol levels and improvements in immunoglobulin A levels.
Researchers identify glial cells as critical players in brain's response to social stress. The study found that oligodendrocytes, the myelin-producing cells, play a key role in determining individual resilience or susceptibility to stressful events.
A new study found that surviving the Holocaust has a lifelong negative impact on brain structure, affecting stress response, memory, and behavior. Researchers also discovered reduced connectivity in offspring and grandchildren, suggesting a potential genetic component.
Researchers identified a key molecule, mir-135b-5p, found elevated in the brain's emotional memory processor that drives PTSD symptoms. Suppressing this molecule enables faster recovery from trauma, and it may also serve as a novel biomarker for treatment.
Researchers have identified an anti-inflammatory fat in a soil-dwelling bacterium that may be responsible for quelling stress-related disorders. The discovery brings the researchers one step closer to developing a microbe-based 'stress vaccine'.
A recent study published in Psychopharmacology found that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy significantly improved PTSD symptoms, with 54% of participants no longer meeting criteria after two sessions. The therapy was compared to small doses or non-drug psychotherapy and showed promising results.
A new form of psychotherapy developed for teens and young adults has been shown to effectively reduce psychological stress. The treatment, which consists of 30-26 sessions over four to five months, demonstrated improved symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental disorders.
A University of Houston study finds that one-fifth of female firefighters experience post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and are at higher risk of contemplating suicide than their male colleagues. Women with PTSD symptoms were more likely to be in their mid-career years, suggesting a need for targeted intervention strategies.
Researchers will investigate stress chemicals and circuits in the brain to understand persistent changes in sleep and circadian rhythms. The study aims to develop new brain targets for medication development and improve diagnosis accuracy.
Researchers found that children with an immigrant father were two times more likely to be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than those with two Finnish parents. The study highlights the importance of schools and clinicians becoming aware of intergenerational trauma transmission.
A new study suggests that prenatal stress may be involved in shaping psychiatric resilience, with high-violence communities showing less frequent depression and PTSD symptoms. Prenatal stress interacts with postnatal stress to influence resilience.
Research at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience reveals that insomnia may be caused by a failing neutralization of emotional distress. Good sleepers can settle past experiences as neutralized memories, but people with insomnia are unable to do so.
A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that stress increases fear-promoting brain regions while reducing fear-reducing ones. This shift can be mimicked by increasing norepinephrine release, potentially leading to more effective treatments for PTSD.
A Swedish study finds a strong link between stress-related disorders and cardiovascular disease, with a 64% higher risk among those with a stress related disorder compared to their unaffected sibling. The risk is highest during the first year after diagnosis, especially for heart failure and major blood clots.
A new study reveals that children who have trouble processing their trauma and perceive their symptoms as a sign of something seriously wrong are more likely to develop PTSD. The research found that deliberate attempts to process the trauma can actually worsen PTSD in children.
A study found that a specific klotho genotype interacts with severe PTSD symptoms to accelerate cellular aging. This interaction highlights the potential role of klotho as a therapeutic target for protecting against age-related inflammation and loss of neural integrity.
Researchers discover gene TIA1 helps the brain keep fearful memories in check, reducing PTSD-like behavior in female mice. The study highlights key role of TIA1 in essential biological processes and offers promising new target for combating PTSD.
Researchers at IU School of Medicine have developed a cutting-edge blood test to help accurately diagnose military veterans and others with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The test can identify individuals at risk or experiencing severe stress disorders, enabling targeted treatments and prevention strategies.
Erika J. Wolf receives $346,000 grant from NIA to investigate PTSD-related accelerated cellular aging in brain tissue. The study aims to gain insight into the physiological mechanisms and consequences of accelerated epigenetic aging.
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.
A study found that people taking antidepressants, having post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety are at risk of developing REM sleep behavior disorder. Men are also more likely to have the condition. Lifestyle factors such as education level, income, smoking status and moderate to heavy drinking habits were also linked to the disorder.
A study found that female veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or depression are more likely to develop dementia than their counterparts without these conditions. Women with PTSD were about 80% more likely, while those with depression were about 70% more likely to develop dementia.
A clinical study conducted by Wake Forest School of Medicine shows that Cereset's HIRREM technology significantly reduces symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military personnel. The study also found improvements in brain function and reduced symptoms lasting at least six months.
Researchers found high levels of psychological distress and feelings of guilt in parents whose child had a burn injury. Adopting self-compassion appeared to help cope with the trauma. The study emphasizes the importance of screening for psychological distress in all families, regardless of burn size or severity.
Researchers found significant reductions in PTSD symptoms and increases in self-compassion among veterans who participated in the Dogs2Vets program. The 12-month study showed veterans experienced lower levels of perceived stress, isolation, and self-judgment.
A study by San Francisco State University found that 25% of young adults experienced clinically significant stress after the 2016 US election, comparable to witnesses of a mass shooting. The study also highlighted strong impacts on racial and ethnic groups, as well as gender, political affiliation, and religion.
A mouse study found that binge drinking makes male mice more likely to drink under stress, while female mice show no such increase. The study suggests sex differences in the brain's response to stress and alcohol consumption.
A Rutgers study finds Interpersonal Psychotherapy-Trauma reduces depression and PTSD symptoms in women with sexual abuse histories, improving social health over time. The therapy can be easily integrated into community mental health clinics by training existing staff.
A study of over 1,000 motor vehicle accident survivors found a common genetic variant in the stress response gene FKBP5 linked to increased chronic pain. The researchers discovered that addressing this interaction between the genetic variant and post-traumatic stress may represent a supplemental or alternative treatment option.
A study found that LGB veterans were more likely to have experienced military sexual assault, which was directly linked to the presence of PTSD and depression. The research highlights the need for better prevention, training, and interventions to support LGB veterans' mental health.
A new study by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that exposing newborn mice to vaginal microbes from stressed female mice can transfer the effects of stress to the newborns. The study indicates that maternal stress affects brain development in offspring and may be influenced by the vaginal microbiota.
Researchers have identified O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT) as a key molecule responsible for the sex-specific patterns of gene expression. High levels of H3K27me3 in the female placenta produce resilience to stress, which may explain why females are less susceptible to neurodevelopmental disorders than males.
A stress-related disorder was associated with an increased risk of developing autoimmune disease in a Swedish study involving over 106,000 patients. The study found that individuals with stress-related disorders were more likely to develop conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.
A comprehensive study by the University of Konstanz found that female genital mutilation (FGM) increases the risk of developing mental illness, including post-traumatic stress disorder. The study also revealed changes in the body's reactions to stress, with increased cortisol levels affecting women who had undergone FGM.
Researchers identified Klf9 as a key factor mediating the detrimental effects of chronic stress on neuronal connectivity and fear responses. Silencing Klf9 expression protected mice from stress-induced changes in dendritic spines and behavior.
A new study found that military service members who depicted psychological injuries in their artwork had more acute post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms than those who used symbols of their military units. The research team linked themes in masks made by active service members to measures of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Researchers found that immunizing with Mycobacterium vaccae creates a lasting stress-resilient phenotype in the brain by blocking sensitizing effects of stress. This could lead to new probiotic-based immunizations for PTSD and anxiety, or treatments for depression.
A Loyola Medicine survey found that 15.8% of adult burn patients screened positive for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study highlights the importance of identifying patients who may benefit from mental health assessment and intervention.
A new Penn State research study found that posttraumatic stress symptoms increase risks for academic difficulties in student veterans. Partnered women were particularly affected due to relationship problems impacting their academic functioning.
Recent advances in PTSD research focus on brain structure and function, informing efforts to interrupt the processes leading to symptom development. Effective treatments like exposure therapy are based on mechanisms of fear extinction, while new approaches target stress hormones and brain regions involved in emotion dysregulation.
Researchers studying social defeat in broad-horned flour beetles may uncover insights into combat-induced PTSD. A UTA graduate student hopes her research could shed light on the molecular mechanisms behind changes in behavior, potentially leading to new treatments for post-traumatic stress disorders.
A new study implicates a role for light-induced electrical activity in controlling chemical codes in the brain, potentially leading to chemical imbalances underlying mental illness. The researchers found that manipulating brain electrical activity prevented neurotransmitter switching associated with anxious and depressed behavior.
A new Yale study analyzed 14 million newspaper articles from 1900-2016 to find that each war brought a new term for what are now known as PTSD symptoms. This lack of clear terminology may have slowed clinical and scientific progress on the disorder.
A Massachusetts General Hospital-led study reveals that chronic early-life stress raises PTSD vulnerability by increasing ghrelin levels in both rat models and human adolescents. Elevated ghrelin levels are associated with increased fear response and susceptibility to mental health disorders.
A new study by Bar-Ilan University researchers found that adult offspring of Holocaust survivors experience heightened anxiety and filial obligation when caring for their elderly parents. The study suggests that this trauma is transmitted across generations, affecting mental health markers such as depression and anxiety.
A new study reveals that social support helped alleviate depressive symptoms for both displaced and nondisplaced residents who survived Hurricane Katrina. However, social support only moderated PTSD symptoms for nondisplaced residents, indicating that displaced individuals require more formal supports.