MicroRNAs in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disorder that can develop following exposure to or witnessing of a (potentially) threatening event.

A critical issue is to pinpoint the (neuro)biological mechanisms underlying the susceptibility to stress-related disorder such as PTSD, which develops in the minority of ~15% of individuals exposed to trauma. Over the last few years, a first wave of epigenetic studies has been performed in an attempt to identify the molecular underpinnings of the long-lasting behavioral and mental effects of trauma exposure.

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Integrating NIMH Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) into PTSD Research

Three and a half decades of research on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has produced substantial knowledge on the pathobiology of this frequent and debilitating disease. However, despite all research efforts, so far no drug that has specifically targeted PTSD core symptoms progressed to clinical use. Instead, although not overly efficient, serotonin re-uptake inhibitors continue to be considered the gold standard of PTSD pharmacotherapy.

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Therapist rotation : a novel approach for implementation of trauma-focused treatment in post-traumatic stress disorder

Background: Trauma-focused treatments (TFTs) for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are highly effective, yet underused by therapists.

 

Objective: To describe a new way of implementing (adequate use of) TFTs, using a therapist rotation model in which one patient is treated by several therapists.

 

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Internet-based behavioural activation with lay counsellor support versus online minimal psychoeducation without support for treatment of depression : a randomised controlled trial in Indonesia

Summary

 

Background

Depression is one of the leading contributors to the global burden of disease. However, treatment availability is often very poor in low-income and middle-income countries. In a randomised clinical trial, we investigated the efficacy of internet-based behavioural activation with lay counsellor support compared with online minimal psychoeducation without support for depression in Indonesia (a middle-income country).

 

Methods

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Military veteran puts new uni research to the test

A pioneering university research project is aiming to treat military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Here, one former member of the Armed Forces tells us why he’s championing the potential of this new technology.

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Psychological interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder in refugees and asylum seekers : A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

There is a high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in refugee and asylum seeker populations which can pose distinct challenges for mental health professionals.

This review included 16 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with 1111 participants investigating the effect of psychological interventions on PTSD in these populations.

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The effect of a service dog on salivary cortisol awakening response in a military population with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Highlights

 

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3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans, firefighters, and police officers : a randomised, double-blind, dose-response, phase 2 clinical trial

Summary

 

Background

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent in military personnel and first responders, many of whom do not respond to currently available treatments. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for treating chronic PTSD in this population.

 

Methods

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An innovative framework for delivering psychotherapy to patients with treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder : Rationale for interactive motion-assisted therapy

Despite an array of evidence-based psychological treatments for patients with a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a majority of patients do not fully benefit from the potential of these therapies. In veterans with PTSD, up to two-thirds retain their diagnosis after psychotherapy and often their disorder is treatment-resistant, which calls for improvement of therapeutic approaches for this population. One of the factors hypothesized to underlie low response in PTSD treatment is high behavioral and cognitive avoidance to traumatic reminders.

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Neurocognitive functioning over the course of trauma-focused psychotherapy for ptsd : Changes in verbal memory and executive functioning

Objectives

Individuals with post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have neurocognitive deficits in verbal memory and executive functioning. In this study, we examined whether memory and executive functioning changed over the course of treatment and which clinical variables were associated with change.

Design

Neuropsychological assessments were administered at baseline and endpoint of a randomized controlled trial as secondary outcome.

Methods

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