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Blood Test Might Predict Suicide Risk

7/31/2014

According to a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry researchers may have found a genetic precursor to suicide risk. The study, from John Hopkins, found that a group of chemicals known as methyls affect the gene linked to stress hormones, which may be key in solving these risk factors. If this gene (SKA2) is impaired by methyls the result is that an individual’s ability to regulate stress could be altered, leading to a greater risk for suicide. More information can be found at:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2014/07/30/blood-test-could-predict-risk-of-suicide/

Study Finds Some Individuals Deal with Stress Better than Others

7/29/2014

A study conducted by Duke University found an electrical pattern in the brains of mice might be the key to unlocking how well an individual copes with stress. The team of researchers focused on the mice’s amygdala and prefrontal cortex, areas of the brain which process fear and stress in both humans and mice, in order to analyze their reaction to stress. The study found that the both the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala exhibited, “higher levels of activation… (even) before they were chronically stressed.” More information can be found at:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/07/29/study-underlying-cause-stress/13321593/

Connection Between Fearful Faces and Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder

7/10/2014

The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, conducted a study to examine the effects of the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) on the amygdala, an area of the brain associated with emotional response and memory. Individuals with Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder (GSAD) and a control group were shown fearful faces while their brains were scanned using an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Image). The study indicates those with GSAD experienced a marked positive change between the connectivity of the amygdala and other areas of the brain. More information can be found at:

http://www.frontiersin.org/publications/24580627 [1]

[1] Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. 2014; DOI: 10.1038/npp.2014.168

Blood Test Might Predict Suicide Risk

Study Finds Some Individuals Deal with Stress Better than Others

Connection Between Fearful Faces and Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder

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