scholarly journals The Impact of Electroacupuncture Early Intervention on the Brain Lipidome in a Mouse Model of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cuihong Zhou ◽  
Fen Xue ◽  
Qingqing Shi ◽  
Shanshan Xue ◽  
Tian Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Intervention ◽  
Lipid Composition ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Neuroprotective Effect ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Therapeutic Mechanism ◽  
Specific Regulation ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Brain

Abstract The neuroprotective effect of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment has been well studied; growing evidence suggests that changes in lipid composition may be involved in the pathogenesis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and may be a target for treatment. However, the influence of early EA intervention on brain lipid composition in patients with PTSD has never been investigated. Using a modified single prolonged stress (mSPS) model in mice, we assessed the anti-PTSD-like effects of early intervention using EA and evaluated changes in lipid composition in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) using a mass spectrometry-based lipidomic approach. mSPS induced changes in lipid composition in the hippocampus, notably in the content of sphingolipids, glycerolipids, and fatty acyls. These lipid changes were more robust than those observed in the PFC. Early intervention with EA after mSPS ameliorated PTSD-like behaviors and partly normalized mSPS-induced lipid changes, notably in the hippocampus. Cumulatively, our data suggest that EA may reverse mSPS-induced PTSD-like behaviors due to region-specific regulation of the brain lipidome, providing new insights into the therapeutic mechanism of EA.

scholarly journals Exploring the impact of COVID-19 and restrictions to daily living as a result of social distancing within veterans with pre-existing mental health difficulties

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjmilitary-2020-001622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominic Murphy ◽  
C Williamson ◽  
J Baumann ◽  
W Busuttil ◽  
N T Fear
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionData are emerging showing the adverse consequences on mental health of the general public due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Little is known about the needs of veterans with pre-existing mental health difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsData were collected through a cross-sectional online survey from a randomly selected sample (n=1092) of military veterans who have sought help for mental health difficulties from a veteran-specific UK-based charity. The response rate was 25.2% (n=275). Participants were asked to complete a range of standardised mental health outcomes (post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, common mental health difficulties (CMDs): 12-Item General Health Questionnaire, difficulties with anger: 5-Item Dimensions of Anger Reactions—Revised and alcohol misuse: Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) and endorse a list of potential stressors related to changes to daily life resulting from COVID-19. Regression analyses were fitted to explore predictors of mental health severity.ResultsIt was observed that symptoms of common mental disorder and PTSD (69.3% and 65.0%, respectively) were the most commonly reported to have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Lack of social support and reporting increasing numbers of stressors related to COVID-19 were consistently associated with increasing severity of a range of mental health difficulties.ConclusionsOur findings suggest veterans who had pre-existing mental health difficulties prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 may be at increased risk of experiencing CMDs as a result of the pandemic. Intervening to improve levels of social support and offering practical guidance to better manage any additional stressors relating to the pandemic may provide strategies to help reduce the burden of mental health symptoms.

Putative Blood Somatic Mutations in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder-Symptomatic Soldiers: High Impact of Cytoskeletal and Inflammatory Proteins

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 1723-1734
Author(s):  
Shlomo Sragovich ◽  
Michael Gershovits ◽  
Jacqueline C.K. Lam ◽  
Victor O.K. Li ◽  
Illana Gozes
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Somatic Mutations ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
High Impact ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Brain

Background: We recently discovered autism/intellectual disability somatic mutations in postmortem brains, presenting higher frequency in Alzheimer’s disease subjects, compared with the controls. We further revealed high impact cytoskeletal gene mutations, coupled with potential cytoskeleton-targeted repair mechanisms. Objective: The current study was aimed at further discerning if somatic mutations in brain diseases are presented only in the most affected tissue (the brain), or if blood samples phenocopy the brain, toward potential diagnostics. Methods: Variant calling analyses on an RNA-seq database including peripheral blood samples from 85 soldiers (58 controls and 27 with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD) was performed. Results: High (e.g., protein truncating) as well as moderate impact (e.g., single amino acid change) germline and putative somatic mutations in thousands of genes were found. Further crossing the mutated genes with autism, intellectual disability, cytoskeleton, inflammation, and DNA repair databases, identified the highest number of cytoskeletal-mutated genes (187 high and 442 moderate impact). Most of the mutated genes were shared and only when crossed with the inflammation database, more putative high impact mutated genes specific to the PTSD-symptom cohorts versus the controls (14 versus 13) were revealed, highlighting tumor necrosis factor specifically in the PTSD-symptom cohorts. Conclusion: With microtubules and neuro-immune interactions playing essential roles in brain neuroprotection and Alzheimer-related neurodegeneration, the current mutation discoveries contribute to mechanistic understanding of PTSD and brain protection, as well as provide future diagnostics toward personalized military deployment strategies and drug design.

scholarly journals Post-traumatic stress disorder following COVID-19 pandemic among medical students in Riyadh: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zainab Ifthikar ◽  
Saima Sajjad Fakih ◽  
Saumy Johnson ◽  
Johnson Alex
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background In recent times, COVID-19 has been recognized as a public health emergency and thus far, most papers published on it are focused only on the clinical characteristics of infected patients. This pandemic has also made phenomenal emotional impact among the young and the old. We aimed to find out the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological well-being of medical students in a University at Riyadh. Results There were 309 participants in the study. Out of them 44% did not have PTSD, 29% had score more than 37 which might contribute to immune suppression, in 18.4% PTSD was a clinical concern and 8.6% had probable PTSD. Female participants were the majority in the group and they also had higher chance of having consequences than the male counterparts (P < 0.001). Avoidance score between male and female gender was significantly different. Conclusion COVID-19 pandemic has not just affected the physiological functioning of the affected individuals but also has had a probable post-traumatic stress disorder among young college students. Screening for psychological well-being and the treatment for PTSD is imperative in college, school and general population.

Evidence of diffuse damage in frontal and occipital cortex in the brain of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder

2011 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maricla Tavanti ◽  
Marco Battaglini ◽  
Federico Borgogni ◽  
Letizia Bossini ◽  
Sara Calossi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Occipital Cortex ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Brain

scholarly journals Levels of biogenic amines in the brain of rats at experimental post-traumatic stress disorder development

2015 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 806-810
Author(s):  
R V Deev ◽  
Yu M Shatrova ◽  
A I Sinitskiy ◽  
N S Molchanova ◽  
A K Yunusova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Acid Level ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Behavioral Activity ◽  
Gamma Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Brain

Aim. To study the changes in levels of biogenic amines-neurotransmitters in the brain at experimental post-traumatic stress disorder development in rats. Methods. Post-traumatic stress disorder was modeled by keeping 48 outbred male rats in under constant and inescapable strong unconditioned stimulus. The control group included 16 intact animals, not exposed to stress influences. The levels of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine and gamma-aminobutyric acid were determined by fluorometric methods. Behavioral activity of animals was evaluated on the day 3, 7, 10 and 14 by «open field» and «elevated plus maze» actinographs. Results. When comparing the concentrations of studied neurotransmitters in the brain of control animals with experimental groups, reflecting the development of post-traumatic stress disorder at the time, adrenaline and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine levels were increased on the third day, level of norepinephrine was reduced on the seventh day, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, dopamine, norepinephrine levels were elevaled, gamma-aminobutyric acid level was reduced on the tenth day, gamma-aminobutyric acid level was increased on the fourteenth day after the stress. Conclusion. According to the results of the correlation analysis, the largest contribution to the development of behavioral disorders are made by altered brain level of gamma-aminobutyric acid at the time of post-traumatic stress disorder formation (tenth and fourteenth day). At the earlier stages (third and seventh day), the relationship of rats behavioral activity and altered 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and norepinephrine brain levels was shown.

Exposure to stressful events during a peacekeeping mission may have a price: The impact on trait of negative and positive affect and mental health

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1285-1291
Author(s):  
Roberta Sonia Rodrigues Álvares ◽  
Ana Carolina Ferraz Mendonça-de-Souza ◽  
Antônio Fernando Araujo Duarte ◽  
Thaís Medeiros Gameiro ◽  
Nastassja Lopes Fischer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact

We evaluated the participants’ negative affect, positive affect, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression symptoms before and after a peacekeeping mission. Depression symptoms and positive affect after mission were significantly associated with exposure to stressful events during the mission, controlled by the respective characteristics before mission. Negative affect and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms after mission had a tendency to be associated with exposure to stressful events during the mission, controlled by the respective characteristics before mission. In conclusion, even in healthy and physically active male peacekeepers, those more exposed to stressful events could be more vulnerable to present negative outcomes.

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