U of M researchers identify possible key to treating, understanding post-traumatic stress disorder

"University of Minnesota Medical School and Minneapolis Veterans Affair Medical Center researchers have discovered a correlation between increased circuit activity in the right side of the brain and the debilitating, involuntary flashbacks triggered by post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)."

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Twin study may quiet doubts over PTSD-trauma link | Reuters

"Trauma really is the trigger of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, suggests a new study that could help settle an ongoing debate"

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Caregiving: Fireworks and PTSD - UPI.com

"ALBANY, N.Y., June 30 (UPI) -- Memorial Day may be the beginning of summer, but Independence Day is the unofficial beginning of firecracker season, which can be hard on military veterans, the elderly and pets."

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Free Imagery Stream on Huffpo; New Inroads to PTSD

Huffington Post, along with Health.com, is featuring a series of articles on ways to de-stress during the month of May, called Unplug and Recharge. Each day they add more approaches. There's some really good stuff in here - even if some of the content is not completely new to you, you'll find good reminders and new ways of thinking about the suggestions - about breathing, yoga, how to eat, exercising, positive mind-tricks, changing the way you use time, clearing away clutter, and lots more. I got to add a little piece of my own, describing guided imagery, complete...

Free Imagery Stream on Huffpo; New Inroads to PTSD

Management of Traumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Reaction - VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines

"Management of Traumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Reaction" : The guideline describes the critical decision points in the Management of Traumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Reaction and provides clear and comprehensive evidence based recommendations incorporating current information and practices for practitioners throughout the DoD and VA Health Care systems. The guideline is intended to improve patient outcomes and local management of patients with one of these diagnoses."

Management of Traumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Reaction - VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines:

Recent Study Shows Alterations Necessary For Activation of Certain Immune Responses.

Definitions: C3a, C4a and C5a (anaphylatoxins) activate the complement system and are able to trigger responses such as allergic reactions, activate mast cells and participate in adapative immune response. (Wipedia)

Past studies have revealed changes in WBC, inflammatory cytokines including Il-1b, Il-6, Il6R and a decrease in the anti-inflammatory Il-4. This study suggests that individuals with PTSD have lower activity of C3 which is part of the alternative immune pathway and important for killing pathogens. C3 and C4 are often measured to monitor autoimmune disease or rheumatoid arthritis. Other conditions include fungal infections, gram negative septicemia, etc. This author maintains that PTSD involves dysfunction in the complement system and altered chain of complement cascade. (Hovhannisyan)

CiteULike: Alterations in the complement cascade in post-traumatic stress disorder: "Hovhannisyan, L. P., Mkrtchyan, G. M., Sukiasian, S. H., and Boyajyan, A. S. (2010). Alterations in the complement cascade in post-traumatic stress disorder. Allergy, Ashtma & Clinical Immunology." http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/6715343
Complement C3. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved on February 22, 2010.
Alternative Complement Pathway. Wipedia. Retrieved on February 22, 2010.

Smaller amygdala volume and reduced anterior cingulate gray matter density associated with history of post-traumatic stress disorder

Smaller amygdala volume and reduced anterior cingulate gray matter density associated with history of post-traumatic stress disorder: "URL: Smaller amygdala volume and reduced anterior cingulate gray matter density associated with history of post-traumatic stress disorder

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