Cocaine More Likely To Be Chosen Over Food By Subordinate Monkeys

Having a lower social standing increases the likelihood that a monkey faced with a stressful situation will choose cocaine over food, according to a study at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. More dominant monkeys undergoing the same stressful situation had fewer changes in brain activity in areas of the brain involved in stress and anxiety and were less likely to choose cocaine.

BrainCells Inc. Initiates Phase 2 Clinical Trial With BCI-540 For Depression With Anxiety

BrainCells Inc. (BCI), a biopharmaceutical company utilizing its platform technology to identify and develop compounds that promote the growth of new neurons for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases, announced that it has initiated a Phase 2a clinical trial with its lead product candidate, BCI-540, for the treatment of depression with anxiety.

Mental Stress Reduces Blood Flow To The Heart In Patients With Gene Variation

University of Florida researchers have identified a gene variation in heart disease patients who appear especially vulnerable to the physical effects of mental stress - to the point where blood flow to the heart is greatly reduced. "Searching for the presence of this gene may be one way to better identify patients who are at an increased risk for the phenomenon, " said David S.

Study Shows A Little Anxiety Pays Sometimes

Anxiety gets a lot of bad press. Dwelling on the negative can lead to chronic stress and anxiety disorders and phobias, but evolutionarily speaking, anxiety holds some functional value. In humans, learning to avoid harm is necessary not only for surviving in the face of basic threats (such as predators or rotten food), but also for avoiding more complex social or economic threats (such as enemies or questionable investments).

Using Genetic Variations To Predict Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

A study published in JAMA reports that adults aremore likely to have posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms if they havebeen abused as a child and have variations of a gene that is related tostress response. The investigation was conducted by Rebekah G.

Combined Factors May Change Biology Of Stress-Response System As It Develops

A traumatic event is much more likely to result in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults who experienced trauma in childhood - but certain gene variations raise the risk considerably if the childhood trauma involved physical or sexual abuse, scientists have found.

Can Psychotherapy Reverse Chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

A randomized controlled trial by Lyon investigators discloses the difficulties in treating chronic posttraumatic stress disorder with psychotherapy in the March issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics.To date, there have been no studies comparing cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) with Rogerian therapy in post-traumatic stress disorder.

Is The Brain Damaged By Stress?

Individuals who experience military combat obviously endure extreme stress, and this exposure leaves many diagnosed with the psychiatric condition of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. PTSD is associated with several abnormalities in brain structure and function.

Does Writing Help Overcoming Traumatic Stress?

A randomized controlled trial performed by researchers of the University of Amsterdam evaluates writing therapy in posttraumatic stress disorder in the March issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics.Writing assignments have shown promising results in treating traumatic symptomatology.

People With Anxiety Disorders Tend To Suffer From Increased Blood Clotting

"The blood froze in my veins" or "My blood curdled" - these common figures of speech can be taken literally, according to the latest studies. Indeed, more literally than some of us would like. For it turns out that intense fear and panic attacks can really make our blood clot and increase the risk of thrombosis or heart attack.