Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Neuroscientists discover how the brain slows anxious breathing

Researchers at the Salk Institute identified a specific brain circuit responsible for slowing anxious breathing, connecting the frontal cortex to the brainstem. This discovery may offer a scientific explanation for the beneficial effects of practices like yoga and mindfulness on alleviating negative emotions and could lead to the devel...

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateNov 19, 2024

In rats, intrauterine exposure to cannabinoid affected cardiorespiratory function and sleep quality in adulthood

Researchers found that prenatal exposure to synthetic cannabinoid led to cardiovascular problems in female rats and increased respiratory sensitivity to carbon dioxide in male rats. Sleep quality also deteriorated in both sexes, with males experiencing sleep fragmentation due to frequent wakefulness episodes.

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

Researchers explore personalized pharmacotherapy to treat panic attacks

Researchers investigated whether easily identifiable patient characteristics can improve treatment outcomes for panic disorders. They found correlations between longer illness duration and lower response rates to venlafaxine XR, higher age and increased side effects with paroxetine, and longer treatment durations and improved response ...

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalPersonalized Medicine in Psychiatry·DateApr 26, 2017

Understanding the brain's 'suffocation alarm'

Research identifies ASIC1a gene variants associated with panic disorder and respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath and feelings of suffocation. The study found that the genes are also linked to amygdala structure and function, raising hopes for new treatments.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateDec 1, 2014

Mental disorders in mid-life and older adulthood more prevalent than previously reported

A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals substantial discrepancies among mid-life and late-life adults in reporting past mental health disorders compared to physical disorders. The study found that lifetime estimates of mental disorders ascertained by retrospective versus cumulative evaluations were sign...

What are you scared of?

Scientists at EMBL discovered that different brain regions handle various fears, with mice displaying distinct brain activity responses to threats from same-species and predator species. This finding could lead to targeted treatments for specific phobias and panic attacks in humans.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateNov 11, 2013

Human brain is divided on fear and panic

Researchers have identified multiple brain regions responsible for generating fear and panic, including the amygdala, brainstem, diencephalon, and insular cortex. The findings suggest that an intact amygdala normally inhibits panic, and its absence can lead to anxiety-related conditions.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateFeb 4, 2013

Research at UH finds cognitive-behavioral therapy effective in combatting anxiety disorders

Researchers found that a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy with a transdiagnostic approach significantly improved anxiety disorders such as fear of flying and public speaking. This approach treats patients with one set of principles across all types of anxiety disorders, leading to considerable improvement in comorbid diagnoses.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalBehavior Therapy·DateJun 28, 2012

Study: People at risk for panic buffered from stressor by high levels of physical activity

A recent study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that individuals with high anxiety sensitivity exhibited reduced anxiety reactivity when engaging in high levels of physical activity. Regular exercise was shown to be an effective alternative or complementary strategy to traditional treatments for depression and anxiety problems.

SourceSouthern Methodist University·JournalPsychosomatic Medicine·DateJul 12, 2011

Micro-RNA's contribute to risk for panic disorder

Researchers found that four microRNAs (miR-22, miR-138-2, miR-148a, and miR-488) are associated with panic disorder, regulating genes related to anxiety pathways in the brain. The study suggests a coordinated involvement of multiple risk genes, implying the existence of molecular 'switches' that control gene function.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateMar 24, 2011

Treating panic disorder on the web

A new online treatment system using biofeedback therapy and web technologies aims to improve patient care for individuals suffering from panic disorder. The system, developed by researchers in Taiwan, has shown promising results in reducing panic attacks and improving symptoms.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Business Intelligence and Data Mining·DateJan 18, 2010

Panic attacks linked to higher risk of heart attacks and heart disease, especially in younger people

A study found that individuals diagnosed with panic attacks or disorder have a significantly increased risk of developing coronary heart disease and suffering a heart attack, particularly among those under 50 years old. However, the research also showed that people with panic disorders face a reduced risk of dying from heart conditions.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·JournalEuropean Heart Journal·DateDec 18, 2008

Carbon dioxide triggers inborn distress

A study found that carbon dioxide inhalation triggers emotional distress and a panic response in healthy volunteers. The reaction is dose-dependent, with higher CO2 concentrations causing stronger negative emotions. Older subjects exhibited a weaker reaction, suggesting an underlying protective brain alarm may be blunted in the elderly.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 2, 2007

Blood tests may be possible for mental health conditions

Researchers at the University of Iowa have discovered a link between genetic information in white blood cells and mental health conditions like panic disorder. The study found distinct patterns of gene expression in individuals with and without panic disorder, which could lead to new diagnostic tools and therapies.

SourceUniversity of Iowa·JournalAmerican Journal of Medical Genetics·DateMar 6, 2007