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Pediatr Transplant 2019 Feb 20:e13380. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Boston Children's Hospital Department of Psychiatry, Boston, Massachusetts.

Introduction: This study describes psychotropic medication use in a pediatric and young adult solid organ transplant population.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of the lifetime incidence of psychotropic medication use and associated characteristics in patients seen over a 6-year period at a large pediatric transplant center utilizing univariate and multivariate statistical analyses.

Results: The lifetime incidence of psychotropic medication use was 36. Read More

J Anxiety Disord 2019 Feb 7;63:18-25. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Veterans Affairs Center for Clinical Management Research and Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Health Care System, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; University of Michigan, Department of Psychiatry, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.

Objective: Although several treatments for PTSD have demonstrated efficacy, a substantial portion of patients do not experience clinically significant improvement. Predictors of treatment response are poorly understood. The current study was designed to investigate predictors of PTSD symptom change in a large national sample of treatment-seeking Veterans with PTSD. Read More

Psychiatry Res 2019 Feb 11;274:112-128. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Mental Health Service, White River Junction VA Medical Center, and National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Executive Division, White River Junction, VT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA.

Little is known about predictors of initiation and completion of evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with most data coming from small cohort studies and post-hoc analyses of clinical trials. We examined patient and treatment factors associated with initiation and completion of EBP for PTSD in a large longitudinal cohort. We conducted a national, retrospective cohort study of all Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans who had a post-deployment PTSD diagnosis from 10/01-9/15 at a Veterans Health Administration facility and had at least one coded post-deployment psychotherapy visit. Read More

Psychiatry Res 2019 Jan 31;274:105-111. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Salisbury VA Health Care System, 1601 Brenner Ave, Salisbury, NC 28144, USA; VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), 508 Fulton St, Durham, NC 27705, USA; Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. Electronic address:

Around half of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) have co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research on the differences between male and female veterans with co-occurring PTSD/TBI is sparse. This study evaluated behavioral health differences between sexes with these conditions. Read More

Psychiatr Serv 2019 Feb 20:appips201800361. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Hale, Bohnert, Sripada).

Objective:: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has placed increased emphasis on the availability and use of evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Read More

Eur J Pediatr 2019 Feb 19. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, OLVG, Oosterpark 9, 1091 AC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The objective of this study was to study mental health, coping, and support after work-related adverse events among pediatricians. Physicians are frequently exposed to adverse events. It makes them at risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety disorders. Read More

Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 2019 Feb 19;14(1). Epub 2019 Feb 19.

NISPA, Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioners in Addiction, Radboud University, P.O. Box 6909, 6503, GK, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Background: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is more common in patients with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) than in the general population. Although international guidelines recommend integrated treatment clinicians are still hesitant in offering integrated treatment and more concrete recommendations are needed. This study aims to contribute to a practice-based guideline through the exploration of practice-based decision criteria to determine the indication and treatment of SUD and PTSD. Read More

Genes (Basel) 2019 Feb 13;10(2). Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an acquired psychiatric disorder with functionally impairing physiological and psychological symptoms following a traumatic exposure. Genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors act together to determine both an individual's susceptibility to PTSD and its clinical phenotype. In this literature review, we briefly review the candidate genes that have been implicated in the development and severity of the PTSD phenotype. Read More

Biol Psychol 2019 Feb 16. Epub 2019 Feb 16.

The Department of Psychology, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 296 Eberhart Bldg, PO Box 26170, United States. Electronic address:

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) has been examined as a psychophysiological marker of stress vulnerability. Research indicates that low resting RSA is associated with physical and mental health problems, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some research suggests that people diagnosed with PTSD have lower RSA than people without PTSD, but findings have been mixed and the overall magnitude of this effect is unknown, indicating the need for a comprehensive meta-analysis. Read More

Psychol Rep 2019 Feb 19:33294119828036. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Maharishi Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.

A study was conducted on South African college students using the Transcendental Meditation technique to reduce posttraumatic stress disorder. Students meeting the criteria for possible posttraumatic stress disorder were included. Thirty-four students at the experimental university in South Africa clinically diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder were instructed in and practiced the Transcendental Meditation technique twice daily compared to 34 diagnosed posttraumatic stress disorder comparison students at the comparison university. Read More

Psychol Health 2019 Feb 19:1-17. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

c Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education, Faculty of Psychology , Beijing Normal University , Beijing , China.

Objective: We examined the trajectories of sleep problems in adolescents after the Wenchuan earthquake, and assessed predictors such as posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms.

Methods: We surveyed adolescents at 1, 1.5, 2, and 2. Read More

J Consult Clin Psychol 2019 Mar;87(3):246-256

Center for Care Delivery & Outcomes Research, Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

Objective: One in 3 veterans will dropout from trauma-focused treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Social environments may be particularly important to influencing treatment retention. We examined the role of 2 support system factors in predicting treatment dropout: social control (direct efforts by loved ones to encourage veterans to participate in treatment and face distress) and symptom accommodation (changes in loved ones' behavior to reduce veterans' PTSD-related distress). Read More

J Evid Based Integr Med 2019 Jan-Dec;24:2515690X18823691

1 National Institute for Integrative Healthcare, Fulton, CA, USA.

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is an evidence-based self-help therapeutic method and over 100 studies demonstrate its efficacy. However, information about the physiological effects of EFT is limited. The current study sought to elucidate EFTs mechanisms of action across the central nervous system (CNS) by measuring heart rate variability (HRV) and heart coherence (HC); the circulatory system using resting heart rate (RHR) and blood pressure (BP); the endocrine system using cortisol, and the immune system using salivary immunoglobulin A (SigA). Read More

Behav Res Ther 2019 Feb 2;116:36-51. Epub 2019 Feb 2.

Centre for Learning Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

The tendency to recall events from one's past in a non-specific and overgeneral way has been found to predict the onset and severity of a range of emotional disorders. Memory Specificity Training (MeST) was devised a decade ago in order to target and modify this tendency so as to reduce the symptoms of emotional disorder or to reduce the risk that such disorders might emerge over time. We present a meta-analytical review of research into the effects of MeST on autobiographical memory specificity in the context of emotional disorders (k = 13). Read More

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019 Feb 15. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Dept. of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, United States; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati, United States; VA Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45221, United States. Electronic address:

Individuals with fear-associated conditions such as panic disorder (PD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) display increased emotional responses to interoceptive triggers, such as CO inhalation, that signal a threat to physiological homeostasis. Currently, effector systems and mechanisms underlying homeostatic modulation of fear memory are not well understood. In this regard, the renin angiotensin system (RAS), particularly the angiotensin receptor type 1 (AT1R), a primary homeostatic regulatory target, has gained attention. Read More

Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2019 Feb 15. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Johns Hopkins Burn Center, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Department of Surgery, Division of Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.

Objective: (1) To evaluate the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the Safety, Meaning, Activation and Resilience Training (SMART) intervention versus Non-Directive Supportive Psychotherapy (NDSP) in an acutely hospitalized adult burn survivor sample; (2) To assess the preliminary impact of SMART on Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)/Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Major Depress Disorder (MDD) symptom reduction as secondary prevention.

Design: Proof-of-concept, parallel group, RCT design.

Setting: Regional burn center. Read More

JAMA 2019 Feb;321(7):665-675

Clinical Trials Unit, Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre, London, United Kingdom.

Importance: A meta-analysis of outcomes during the 6 months after intensive care unit (ICU) discharge indicate a prevalence for clinically important posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms of 25%.

Objective: To determine whether a nurse-led preventive, complex psychological intervention, initiated in the ICU, reduces patient-reported PTSD symptom severity at 6 months.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A multicenter, parallel-group, cluster-randomized clinical trial with integrated economic and process evaluations conducted in 24 ICUs in the United Kingdom. Read More

Eur J Psychotraumatol 2019 4;10(1):1573128. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Research Department, Combat Stress, Leatherhead, UK.

: Research shows that veterans with mental health difficulties are reluctant to engage with treatment due to a number of practical and psychological barriers. Tele-therapy has been proposed as an alternative method of delivering therapy to ensure hard-to-reach groups receive the care they need. : This study aimed to explore the acceptability of using tele-therapy for treating PTSD in a sample of UK veterans. Read More

Eur J Psychotraumatol 2019 4;10(1):1571378. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Department of Veteran Affairs, National Center for PTSD, Boston, USA.

Migrant populations are at increased risk for exposure to traumatic life events. Presently, there are no reliable and valid screening instruments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Filipino migrant workers, a population that numbers over 2.3 million worldwide. Read More

J Diet Suppl 2019 Feb 18:1-9. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

a Department of Psychology , Western Illinois University , Macomb , IL , USA.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that affects some individuals who have witnessed or experienced a life-threatening or traumatic event. An enhanced or exaggerated acoustic startle response (ASR), reflecting heightened sensitivity to unexpected, loud sound, is a hallmark symptom of PTSD. Antidepressant medications, such as sertraline, are first-line pharmacotherapeutic agents in the treatment of PTSD, but concerns about potential side effects or taking synthetic drugs prompt discovery of naturalistic therapeutic agents. Read More

Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging 2019 Jan 4. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Clinical Stress and Emotion Laboratory, Division of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Health Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.

Background: Pathological peritraumatic encoding is proposed as a proximal risk factor for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with trauma-analog studies linking increased neural processing of trauma films to intrusive trauma recollections, a core symptom of PTSD. Cumulative lifetime adversity is proposed as a more distal risk factor, with research indicating a tipping point at about five events with regard to PTSD development following re-exposure to trauma. Thus, within a diathesis × stress framework, increased peritraumatic neural processing may constitute a specific risk factor for PTSD, particularly in individuals with several lifetime adversities. Read More

Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), Utrecht University Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Exposure to trauma strongly increases the risk to develop stress-related psychopathology, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depressive disorder (MDD). In addition, liability to develop these moderately heritable disorders is partly determined by common genetic variance, which is starting to be uncovered by genome-wide association studies (GWASs). However, it is currently unknown to what extent genetic vulnerability and trauma interact. Read More

Psychol Med 2019 Feb 18:1-7. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons,New York, NY,USA.

Background: The hippocampus plays an important role in psychopathology and treatment outcome. While posterior hippocampus (PH) may be crucial for the learning process that exposure-based treatments require, affect-focused treatments might preferentially engage anterior hippocampus (AH). Previous studies have distinguished the different functions of these hippocampal sub-regions in memory, learning, and emotional processes, but not in treatment outcome. Read More

Neuroscience 2019 Feb 13. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas-Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Several studies have demonstrated the antitumor effect of doxazosin, an α1-adrenergic blocker, against glioma and breast, bladder and prostate cancers. Doxazosin is also being evaluated as a treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder and alcoholism, and α1-adrenergic blockers have been linked to neuroprotection in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Cancer and AD have an inverse relationship in many aspects, with several factors that contribute to apoptosis inhibition and proliferation being increased in cancers but decreased in AD. Read More

Arch Sex Behav 2019 Feb 15. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, Mail Stop 948, 2801 West Bancroft Street, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been linked to a wide array of risky and health-compromising behaviors, including risky sexual behavior (RSB). Cross-sectional studies reveal positive associations between emotion dysregulation and both PTSD and RSB. This study extended that work by exploring whether intermediate levels of emotion dysregulation across multiple dimensions account for the relation between baseline PTSD symptoms and RSB (i. Read More

Neuropsychopharmacology 2019 Feb 15. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

NETO1 and NETO2 are auxiliary subunits of kainate receptors (KARs). They interact with native KAR subunits to modulate multiple aspects of receptor function. Variation in KAR genes has been associated with psychiatric disorders in humans, and in mice, knockouts of the Grik1 gene have increased, while Grik2 and Grik4 knockouts have reduced anxiety-like behavior. Read More

J Interpers Violence 2019 Feb 15:886260519829763. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

6 Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA, USA.

The purpose of this study was to document the rates of rape acknowledgment (labeling rape as rape rather than using a minimizing label) and the corresponding mental health correlates using the minority stress framework in a unique and vulnerable sample: racially diverse sexual and gender minority young adults. Participants were 245 young adults who identified their sexual orientation as under the bisexual umbrella. A total of 159 of these participants (65. Read More

Behav Res Ther 2019 Feb 2;116:19-29. Epub 2019 Feb 2.

Division of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.

Higher prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women than men may be explained by sex differences in fear learning processes. Initial evidence points to elevated unconditioned and conditioned fear responding as well as to elevated state anxiety in women as potential peritraumatic mechanisms. Using the "conditioned-intrusion-paradigm", which combines differential fear conditioning with the trauma-film paradigm, neutral sounds were presented as predictors of the occurrence (CS+) or non-occurrence (CS-) of highly aversive films. Read More

J Clin Psychol 2019 Feb 15. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

The Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.

Aim: Despite research suggesting increased anxiety and depressive symptoms after a perinatal loss and during future pregnancies, little knowledge exists to guide clinicians treating pregnant women after perinatal loss. This case study explores processes that facilitated therapeutic change for a pregnant patient with major depressive disorder (MDD) and posttraumatic stress disorder after perinatal losses.

Method: The study integrated quantitative and narrative analyses in a single case derived from the pilot phase of a randomized controlled trial on supportive-expressive therapy for MDD. Read More

J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2019 Feb 13. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Department of Trauma, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland, Rämistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich.

Background: Information on long-term psychiatric sequelae after severe trauma is sparse. We therefore performed a survey addressing several symptoms related to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients that sustained multiple injuries more than 20 years after trauma.

Methods: Patients injured between January 1, 1973 and December 31, 1990 were contacted at least 20 years later. Read More

Int J Methods Psychiatr Res 2019 Feb 14:e1767. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.

Objectives: Heritability in the risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been established, but most genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of PTSD involve relatively small sample sizes and limited identification of associated genetic loci. This report describes the methodology of a Veterans Affairs (VA) Cooperative Studies Program GWAS of PTSD among combat-exposed U.S. Read More

Compr Psychiatry 2018 Dec 14;90:73-81. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

University of Duisburg-Essen, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Wickenburgstr. 21, 45147 Essen, Germany. Electronic address:

Introduction: In January 2016, 2057 refugees from civil war-torn Syria and Iraq, aged 18.0 to 24.9 years, were first-time entrants into the German unemployment register and thus potentially eligible for the labor market. Read More

J Interpers Violence 2019 Feb 14:886260519829766. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

2 Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, USA.

Gun violence is a serious public health concern that is currently grossly understudied. Gun attitudes are a potential risk factor for gun violence; however, factors related to gun attitudes have not been identified. Mental illness such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is commonly discussed as a key factor in gun violence, despite research lacking in this area, and it is unknown whether symptoms of PTSD and probable PTSD are associated with more positive attitudes toward guns. Read More

J Behav Med 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.

Pain frequently co-occurs with elevated posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS); women are at elevated risk for their co-occurrence. PTSS and pain are associated with poor sleep quality; yet, little research has examined how sleep impacts their co-occurrence. The current study examines the indirect role of sleep on the relationship between PTSS and pain. Read More

Prehosp Disaster Med 2019 Feb;34(1):56-61

3Harvard Humanitarian Initiative,Harvard University and Harvard T.C. Chan School of Public Health,Cambridge,MassachusettsUSA.

IntroductionIn the years following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City (New York USA), otherwise known as 9/11, first responders began experiencing a range of health and psychosocial impacts. Publications documenting these largely focus on firefighters. This research explores paramedic and emergency medical technician (EMT) reflections on the long-term impact of responding to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Read More

Nature 2019 Feb 13;566(7744):339-343. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Center for Cognition and Sociality, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea.

A psychotherapeutic regimen that uses alternating bilateral sensory stimulation (ABS) has been used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. However, the neural basis that underlies the long-lasting effect of this treatment-described as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing-has not been identified. Here we describe a neuronal pathway driven by the superior colliculus (SC) that mediates persistent attenuation of fear. Read More

Ind Health 2019 Feb 13. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Neuroscience Research Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Australia.

Law enforcement is inherently stressful, and police officers are particularly vulnerable to mental and physical disorders. As such, researchers are currently assessing intervention strategies that may combat or manage these psychological, physical and mental issues. To review most recent information regarding anxiety, PTSD, and sleepiness and fatigue and identify the interventions and treatments proposed to overcome work related stressors and associated mental illnesses inflicting law enforcement officers. Read More

Psychol Rep 2019 Feb 13:33294118825101. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

United Arab Emirates University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

This study examined the effects of psychoeducation and stress management techniques on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms in Libya. The 41 Libyan patients who volunteered to take part in the study were first assessed using the PTSD Checklist. They attended workshops on PTSD symptoms, stress management techniques, and communication skills on three successive days after which they were asked to answer the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations two weeks after they completed the workshops. Read More

J Clin Psychiatry 2019 Feb 12;80(2). Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Department of Psychiatry, Division of Law and Psychiatry, Division of Substance Abuse, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.

Objective: Current knowledge regarding the intersection of psychiatric disorders and crime in the United States is limited to psychiatric, forensic, and youth samples. This study presents nationally representative data on the relationship of DSM-5 psychiatric disorders, comorbid substance and mental health disorders, and multimorbidity (number of disorders) with criminal behavior and justice involvement among non-institutionalized US adults.

Methods: Data were drawn from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Wave III (NESARC-III; 2012-2013; N = 36,309). Read More

Dev Psychopathol 2019 Feb;31(1):173-187

Department of Psychiatry and Child Trauma Research Program,University of California,San Francisco.

This replication study examined protective effects of positive childhood memories with caregivers ("angels in the nursery") against lifespan and intergenerational transmission of trauma. More positive, elaborated angel memories were hypothesized to buffer associations between mothers' childhood maltreatment and their adulthood posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptoms, comorbid psychopathology, and children's trauma exposure. Participants were 185 mothers (M age = 30. Read More

J Clin Psychol Med Settings 2019 Feb 12. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Department of Health Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Łódź, Smugowa 10/12, 91-433, Łódź, Poland.

Cognitive activity, manifested as trauma-related ruminative thinking, and deficits in emotional processing are believed to perpetuate the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aim of this study was to determine the mediating role of rumination in the relationship between emotional processing difficulties and PTSD symptoms. Data from 60 women aged from 40 to 67 (mean 58. Read More

J Neurosci 2019 Feb 12. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA 06520

Noradrenergic (NE) α1-adrenoceptors (α1-AR) contribute to arousal mechanisms, and play an important role in therapeutic medications, e.g. for treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Read More

Environ Health 2019 02 12;18(1):12. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY, USA.

Background: Asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression have each been linked to exposure to the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center (WTC) terrorist attacks (9/11). We described the prevalence and patterns of these conditions and associated health-related quality of life (HRQOL) fifteen years after the attacks.

Methods: We studied 36,897 participants in the WTC Health Registry, a cohort of exposed rescue/recovery workers and community members, who completed baseline (2003-2004) and follow-up (2015-16) questionnaires. Read More

J Interpers Violence 2019 Feb 13:886260519829273. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

2 Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, USA.

Research has identified two subtypes of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); the traditional form that includes hyperarousal reactions, and the other involving ongoing dissociation. Dissociation has been reflected in the new diagnostic criteria for PTSD with the dissociative specification focused on the experience of high levels of depersonalization and/or derealization. PTSD that presents with ongoing dissociation appears to characterize complex cases of PTSD for individuals exposed to protracted trauma. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2019 Feb;8(4):e011133

9 Department of Psychiatry Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis MO.

Background Posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) is associated with risk of cardiovascular disease ( CVD ). Biopsychosocial factors associated with PTSD likely account for some or all of this association. We determined whether 1, or a combination of comorbid conditions explained the association between PTSD and incident CVD . Read More

Child Abuse Negl 2019 Feb 10;90:66-75. Epub 2019 Feb 10.

Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, United States; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, United States. Electronic address:

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are associated with parental aggression towards children, but little is known about the relation between parents' PTSD symptoms and their risk for perpetrating child physical abuse during the early parenting years, when the potential for prevention of abuse may be highest.

Objective: To examine direct associations between mothers' and fathers' PTSD symptoms and child abuse potential, as well as indirect effects through couple relationship adjustment (i.e. Read More

Behav Brain Res 2019 Feb 10;364:19-28. Epub 2019 Feb 10.

Laboratoryof Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran. Electronic address:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) arises after an individual has experienced a major traumatic event. Recent evidence suggests that acute morphine treatment may serve as a strategy to reduce PTSD development. In the present study, we investigated the time-dependent effects of morphine on behavioral and morphological deficits induced by the single prolonged stress (SPS), an experimental model of PTSD, in adult male rats. Read More