Sustained TNF signaling is required for the synaptic and behavioral response to acute stress

Acute stress triggers plasticity of forebrain synapses as well as behavioral changes. Here we reveal that Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF) is a required downstream mediator of the stress response in mice, necessary for stress-induced synaptic potentiation in the ventral hippocampus and for an increase in anxiety-like behaviour. Acute stress is sufficient to activate microglia, triggering the long-term release TNF. Critically, on-going TNF signaling in the ventral hippocampus is necessary to sustain both the stress-induced synaptic and behavioral changes, as these could be reversed hours after induction by antagonizing TNF signaling. This demonstrates that TNF maintains the synaptic and behavioral stress response in vivo, making TNF a potential novel therapeutic target for stress disorders.

The Basolateral Amygdala Mediates the Role of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep in Integrating Fear Memory Responses

The basolateral amygdala (BLA) mediates the effects of stress and fear on rapid eye movement sleep (REM) and on REM-related theta (θ) oscillatory activity in the electroencephalograph (EEG), which is implicated in fear memory consolidation. We used optogenetics to assess the potential role of BLA glutamate neurons (BLAGlu) in regulating behavioral, stress and sleep indices of fear memory, and their relationship to altered θ. An excitatory optogenetic construct targeting glutamatergic cells (AAV-CaMKIIα-hChR2-eYFP) was injected into the BLA of mice. Telemetry was used for real-time monitoring of EEG, activity, and body temperature to determine sleep states and stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH). For 3 h following shock training (ST: 20 footshocks, 0.5 mA, 0.5 s, 1 min interval), BLA was optogenetically stimulated only during REM (REM + L) or NREM (NREM + L). Mice were then re-exposed to the fear context at 24 h, 48 h, and 1 week after ST and assessed for behavior, SIH, sleep and θ activity. Control mice were infected with a construct without ChR2 (eYFP) and studied under the same conditions. REM + L significantly reduced freezing and facilitated immediate recovery of REM tested at 24 h and 48 h post-ST during contextual re-exposures, whereas NREM + L had no significant effect. REM + L significantly reduced post-ST REM-θ, but attenuated REM-θ reductions at 24 h compared to those found in NREM + L and control mice. Fear-conditioned SIH persisted regardless of treatment. The results demonstrate that BLAGlu activity during post-ST REM mediates the integration of behavioral and sleep indices of fear memory by processes that are associated with θ oscillations within the amygdalo-hippocampal pathway. They also demonstrate that fear memories can remain stressful (as indicated by SIH) even when fear conditioned behavior (freezing) and changes in sleep are attenuated.

Investigating the Impact of Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management on Adjustment among Females with Breast Cancer

Background and Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) on adjustment among females with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 104 women with breast cancer who visited Hamedan Imam Khomeini Clinic between Feb 3 and Oct 26, 2016, and met the inclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria included being 20 to 60 years old, being married, and having grade 1-3 breast cancer with a history of recent surgery. The subjects were randomly assigned to two groups of 52 subjects, using a permuted block size of 4. The intervention group participated in 4 sessions of CBSM, each 90 minutes long, for a duration of 4 weeks. Data collection was done using a demographic information questionnaire and Bell adjustment questionnaire. The statistical analyst remained unaware of the intervention assignment. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA. Results: There was a significant difference in the mean scores of the total adjustment (P = 0,0001) between the two groups after the intervention. Each variable was calculated three times, prior to the intervention, immediately after and 2 weeks after the intervention. Regardless of the time of measurement, there was a significant difference in the mean score of total adjustment between the two groups (P = 0.0001). Conclusion : The cognitive-behavioral stress management program improved the adjustment immediately and 2 weeks after the intervention was done among women with breast cancer. This method can be implemented as a complementary approach along with medical therapies provided by oncology centers.

The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management on Social Adjustment and General Health of Patients with Diabetes

Background: The current study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral stress management on social adjustment and the general health of patients with diabetes in Ahwaz.Method: It is semi-experimental research with pre-test and post-test design and two groups. The statistical population included patients with diabetes, 30 of them were selected as the research sample and were randomly assigned into two groups of 15 (one experimental group and one control group). Bell's social adjustment questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) were used to measure variables.Results: The results showed that the post-test scores of social adjustment and general health were significantly different in the two groups.Conclusion: Cognitive-behavioral stress management can be effective in improving social adjustment and the general health of patients with diabetes, and it is necessary to pay attention to the psychological state of patients suffering from diabetes.

A Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management Coaching

In this article, we present a theoretically well-founded coaching concept, which can be assigned to the cognitive-behavioral area and which aims to optimally deal with stress. The coaching concept is based on Lazarus’ transactional theory of stress and coping. The three coaching sessions based on this theory are described in as much detail as possible. We explain which exercises can be used and how – both during and between the coaching sessions – in order to provide the best possible support for stress management and goal attainment. The specific procedure is illustrated with the case study “Mr. Smith” and reflected from the coach’s perspective. The description of the cognitive-behavioral stress management coaching (abbreviated to CBSM coaching) and the case study therefore offer both suggestions for experienced coaches and a good guide for newcomers to the field. The effectiveness of the CBSM coaching has already been empirically proven. The results of this already published evaluation study will be presented in the overview. With the theory-based development and the practical presentation of the CBSM coaching concept, a contribution should be made to further close the gap that sometimes arises between coaching research and practice.