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Exposure to childhood violence linked to psychiatric disorders

A study published in the Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry found that nearly one-quarter of 12-year-olds from public schools had a psychiatric disorder, with depression and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder being the most common diagnoses. Investing in socio-economic inequality prevention and preventing violent events during child...

SourceColumbia University's Mailman School of Public Health·JournalBrazilian Journal of Psychiatry·DateMar 8, 2018

Is your stress changing my brain?

Researchers at the University of Calgary discovered that stress transmitted from others can change the brain in mice, altering CRH neurons that control the brain's response to stress. In females, these effects are reversed after a social interaction, while males do not exhibit this reversal.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateMar 8, 2018

Research links locus coeruleus activity with hyperarousal in PTSD

A new study in Biological Psychiatry provides direct human evidence for a decades-old theory linking heightened arousal and reactivity in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to overactivity of the locus coeruleus (LC), a brain region that mediates arousal and reactivity. The study found that participants with PTSD exhibited increased ...

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateOct 31, 2017

Better sleep, less fear

A study by Itamar Lerner and colleagues found that higher quality sleep patterns are associated with reduced activity in brain regions involved in fear learning. The researchers suggest that baseline sleep quality may be a useful predictor of susceptibility to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The aftermath of Katrina through the eyes of addiction treatment

A study of 11 addiction treatment professionals reflects the increase in prescription drug addictions and staff-related challenges following Hurricane Katrina. The disaster led to the creation of emergency preparedness plans, but participants expressed frustration with federal help conditions.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Addictions & Offender Counseling·DateSep 27, 2017

From a memory too strong to a memory too weak

Researchers at the University Medical Center Goettingen identified a molecular link between PTSD and Alzheimer's disease, specifically Formin 2. Formin 2 mutant mice show PTSD phenotypes at an early age and develop age-related memory decline.

SourceEMBO·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateAug 2, 2017

Predicting -- and preventing -- psychiatric morbidity after ARDS

A new study by Michigan Medicine researchers identified that younger age, female gender, higher severity of illness, fewer days of corticosteroid treatments, and treatment with GM-CSF were associated with more severe psychiatric symptoms. The study found that more days of corticosteroid treatments seemed to be protective from anxiety, ...

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society·DateApr 5, 2017

Psychiatric illness may increase stroke risk

Research found that patients with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other psychiatric disorders have an increased risk of stroke, especially in the immediate post-diagnosis period. The study's lead researcher suggests that psychological distress may contribute to increased blood pressure and inflammation, leading to a higher stroke risk.

Study finds American Indian adults exposed to early life trauma more likely to develop PTSD and poor health

A recent study published in the American Journal of Human Biology found that American Indian adults who experienced early life trauma are at a higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and poor physical health. The research highlights the importance of addressing early interventions to minimize this risk.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Biology·DateDec 12, 2016