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PTSD

·May 18, 2023·5 min read

Boosting Brain Plasticity: A New Pathway for PTSD Therapy?

Researchers discovered that through temporary increases in brain malleability and simultaneous desensitization to fear memories, they could control fear responses in mice. This was achieved by inhibiting the Acan gene, thereby decreasing the presence of the protein Aggrecan, which solidifies and reduces malleability in the brain. The findings point towards potential new avenues for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 3, 2023·6 min read

Sleep Spindles Play a Role in Soothing PTSD Anxiety and Enhancing Memory Retention

Brief bursts of brain activity during sleep known as sleep spindles could potentially help regulate anxiety in people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Researchers believe that the study's findings may be useful for people with anxiety disorders and are looking at non-invasive ways to harness the benefits of this sleep stage to relieve symptoms. The study also suggests that sleep hygiene, electrical brain stimulation, or prescription sleep medications could promote the sleep spindles associated with non-rapid eye movement 2 (NREM2) sleep and potentially benefit patients with stress and anxiety disorders.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·May 2, 2023·6 min read

Harnessing Psilocybin to Treat PTSD

Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, can restore fear extinction and help treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study found that psilocybin promotes the growth of new neurons and synapses in the hippocampus, a brain region involved in memory formation, and was found to reverse the decline in proteins associated with neuroplasticity and fear extinction. The findings provide a promising potential for using psilocybin in the treatment of PTSD.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 10, 2023·5 min read

Child Victims of Violence Face Long-Term Psychological Effects

Child victims of extreme physical violence, such as stabbings or shootings, are at significantly higher risk of developing PTSD as adults.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 27, 2023·4 min read

PTSD Biomarkers Found in Blood

Study reveals four biomarkers associated with PTSD can be measured from simple blood samples. The biomarkers can be used to assess those at risk of PTSD, diagnose post-traumatic stress, and monitor responses to treatments.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 8, 2023·6 min read

Why PTSD Patients Relive Highly Charged Fear Memories in Sleep

In people with PTSD, during REM sleep norepinephrine and serotonin levels remain high, reducing the brain's ability to inhibit fear-expression neurons through neural rhythms sent between the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. Those with PTSD require higher frequency rhythms to extinguish fear memories. Researchers say unlocking the higher frequencies via therapies could help to restore quality sleep in those with PTSD.

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Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 2, 2023·5 min read

Shining a Light on the Biological Origins of PTSD

Study reveals heightened activity in the amygdala in response to seeing surprised or neutral facial expressions could be a biomarker for a risk of developing PTSD following trauma.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 30, 2023·3 min read

Coercive Control Takes Significant Toll on Children

When it comes to coercive control in parental relationships, the children aren't just passive witnesses. Children exposed to coercive control experience problems with social-emotional and physical development, and broader family functioning outcomes such as strained relationships with their parents or experiencing harsher parenting. Children also often exhibit behavioral and psychological challenges.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 24, 2023·6 min read

Horror and Anguish Are Playing Out on Repeat Following the Latest Mass Shooting, and the Mental Health Scars Extend Far Beyond Those Directly Affected

Experiencing significant trauma due to being the victim or a first responder to a mass shooting leads to serious mental health disorders including PTSD, anxiety, and survivor's guilt. However, the effect of such an event extends beyond those directly affected. Researchers explore how mass shootings spark anxiety and fear, and can have negative implications on mental health for those who are not directly associated with the event.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 19, 2023·6 min read

Why Do We Remember Emotional Events Better Than Non-emotional Ones?

Researchers identified a mechanism within the brain that tags information with emotional association for enhanced memory. High-frequency brain waves in the amygdala and hippocampus are critical for enhancing emotional memories.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 13, 2023·4 min read

The Dynamics of Memory-Encoding Synapses in the Brains of Live Mice

Researchers used neuroimaging technology to show the creation and elimination of synapses between neurons in the brains of living mice. The findings provide insight into what happens when memories are created and forgotten. The research could pave the way for new treatments for PTSD.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 11, 2023·2 min read

Can Neuroimaging Reveal the Roots of Psychiatric Disorders? Not Just Yet

While neuroimaging holds great potential in helping researchers link specific patterns of brain activity to mental health disorders, a new study finds there is still a way to go to effectively link neuroimaging results to specific mental health disorders.