Key Questions Answered Q: Why do PTSD patients struggle to forget traumatic memories?A: The study reveals that excessive GABA, produced by astrocytes via the MAOB enzyme, disrupts the brain’s ability…
Tag: PTSD
Old Injuries Rewire the Brain to Feel Fear and Pain Forever
Quick Q&A Q: Can past injuries increase sensitivity to future pain or stress?A: Yes — this study shows that old injuries can prime the brain to overreact to new stressors,…
Tiny Brain Region Orchestrates How We Segment and Remember Life Events
Summary: Our memories don’t flow like a continuous stream—they’re divided into meaningful events, thanks to a tiny brain region called the locus coeruleus. New research shows this region acts like…
AI Facial Analysis Detects PTSD
Summary: Diagnosing PTSD in children is often hindered by limited communication and emotional awareness, but new research is using AI to bridge that gap. By analyzing facial movements during interviews,…
How PTSD Disrupts Brain Cell Communication
Summary: A new study has examined brains affected by PTSD at the single-cell level, uncovering distinct genetic alterations that may drive the disorder. Researchers focused on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex,…
Hallucinogens Linked to Milder PTSD
Summary: In a unique real-world study, researchers examined the psychological effects of trauma on survivors of the October 7 Nova Festival attack in Israel, focusing on their use of mind-altering…
Dopamine Signals Teach the Brain to Unlearn Fear
Summary: A new study reveals that dopamine release along a specific brain circuit helps extinguish fear by activating reward-related neurons in the amygdala. Researchers showed that dopamine from the ventral…
Natural Disaster Trauma Disrupts Brain’s Decision Circuits
Summary: Survivors of the 2018 Camp Fire in California exhibit long-term cognitive changes, particularly in decision-making. Participants directly exposed to the wildfire showed reduced ability to choose long-term rewards and…
Fear of Emotions Fuels PTSD-Related Conflict in Romantic Relationships
Summary: New research reveals that fear of emotions may explain why individuals with PTSD symptoms often struggle to communicate with romantic partners. The study found that people with higher PTSD…
Killing in Combat Doesn’t Always Harm Soldiers’ Mental Health
Summary: A large study of over 14,000 Norwegian veterans reveals that taking a life in combat doesn’t automatically damage a soldier’s mental health—context matters. Veterans from Afghanistan, where combat was…
