Article
Clinical Neurology
Jared Greenberg, Jack Tsai, Steven M. Southwick, Robert H. Pietrzak
Summary: The study found that PTG is relatively common among combat veterans with severe PTSD symptoms, and is associated with better mental functioning and quality of life.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Adam P. P. McGuire, Colby Elmore, Yvette Z. Z. Szabo, A. Solomon Kurz, Corina Mendoza, Emre Umucu, Suzannah K. K. Creech
Summary: This longitudinal study examined the social isolation of veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic and its association with mental health and social functioning. The results suggest a quadratic trajectory of social isolation that slightly decreased and stabilized over time. Higher levels of social isolation were negatively correlated with concurrent emotional support, mental health, quality of marriage, and couple satisfaction. However, the prospective effects were not significant over time. These findings highlight the importance of interventions to prevent or target the negative associations between social isolation and veterans' mental health and social functioning during the pandemic.
Article
Psychiatry
Cassie Overstreet, Jason C. DeViva, Ananda Amstadter, Elissa McCarthy, Steven M. Southwick, Robert H. Pietrzak
Summary: This study focused on resilience and potentially protective factors in U.S. veterans, using a novel analytic approach to operationalize resilience. Results showed the importance of resilience and identified potentially modifiable psychosocial factors. The study demonstrated the utility of the DBPR approach and generated insights for future prevention and treatment efforts.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marcela Konjevod, Gordana Nedic Erjavec, Matea Nikolac Perkovic, Jorge Saiz, Lucija Tudor, Suzana Uzun, Oliver Kozumplik, Dubravka Svob Strac, Neven Zarkovic, Nela Pivac
Summary: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder that can develop in individuals exposed to severe stress or trauma. Metabolomic analysis has revealed altered metabolites that may differentiate between PTSD patients and healthy individuals, potentially shedding light on the pathogenesis of PTSD.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Simon P. Byrne, Brienna M. Fogle, Ruth Asch, Irina Esterlis, Ilan Harpaz-Rotem, Jack Tsai, Robert H. Pietrzak
Summary: The study investigated the prevalence, comorbidities and burden of SAD in US military veterans, showing that those with SAD have higher rates of psychiatric comorbidities, functional impairments, and a greater risk for suicidal ideation. These results emphasize the importance of screening, monitoring and treating SAD in this population along with other mental disorders.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Shira Maguen, Brandon J. Griffin, Dawne Vogt, Claire A. Hoffmire, John R. Blosnich, Paul A. Bernhard, Fatema Z. Akhtar, Yasmin S. Cypel, Aaron Schneiderman
Summary: This study examined the association between moral injury, mental health, and suicide attempts in post-9/11 veterans, considering gender differences. The results showed that exposure to moral injury increased the risk of suicide attempts during and after military service, with different patterns observed between men and women.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Michelle R. Madore, F. Andrew Kozel, Leanne M. Williams, L. Chauncey Green, Mark S. George, Paul E. Holtzheimer, Jerome A. Yesavage, Noah S. Philip
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of TMS in veterans with MDD and PTSD. The results showed that TMS was associated with significant reductions in MDD and PTSD symptoms, and the side effects were consistent with the known safety profile of TMS. These findings support TMS as a safe and effective treatment for veterans with MDD and PTSD.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Or Duek, Tobias R. Spiller, Arielle Rubenstein, Robert H. Pietrzak, Ilan Harpaz-Rotem
Summary: This study evaluates a new model of posttraumatic stress disorder, which categorizes symptoms as internally and externally cued, and compares it with existing models.
Article
Neurosciences
Seyma Katrinli, Anthony P. King, Elizabeth R. Duval, Alicia K. Smith, Nirmala Rajaram, Israel Liberzon, Sheila A. M. Rauch
Summary: Epigenetic alterations in DNA methylation may mediate the gene expression effects of trauma underlying PTSD symptoms and the effects of PTSD on related health problems. PTSD is associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates, indicating accelerated biological aging. A study measuring genome-wide DNA methylation found that patients with PTSD had increased GrimAge acceleration, suggesting a higher risk of premature mortality. There were no differences in GrimAge acceleration between combat trauma and non-trauma exposed controls, and no treatment-related changes in GrimAge acceleration were observed in PTSD patients pre- to post-treatment.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Margaret Carrel, Gosia S. Clore, Seungwon Kim, Mary Vaughan Sarrazin, Eric Tate, Eli N. Perencevich, Michihiko Goto
Summary: This study found that Hurricane Harvey may lead to a decrease in healthcare utilization, with effects varying by flood status, race, and income levels. The most affected patients also experienced the greatest delays or non-receipt of care.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sarah Leighton, Leanne Nieforth, Marguerite O'Haire
Summary: This article conducted a systematic review on the use of psychiatric assistance dogs for military veterans with PTSD. The literature showed significant improvements in PTSD symptom severity, as well as potential positive effects on mental and social health. The study also highlighted opportunities and limitations for future research.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Robert H. Pietrzak, Jack Tsai, Steven M. Southwick
Summary: This survey study examines the association between symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and posttraumatic psychological growth among US veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic, using self-reported data from the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study.
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Melanie L. Hill, Mallory Loflin, Brandon Nichter, Sonya B. Norman, Robert H. Pietrzak
Summary: The latest study shows that approximately 11.9% of veterans use cannabis, 2.7% screen positive for CUD, and 1.5% possess a medical cannabis card. Cannabis use, CUD, and card possession are higher among younger veterans and those with psychiatric conditions.
ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Luc Morin, Laurent Savale, Tai Pham, Romain Colle, Samy Figueiredo, Anatole Harrois, Matthieu Gasnier, Anne-Lise Lecoq, Olivier Meyrignac, Nicolas Noel, Elodie Baudry, Marie-France Bellin, Antoine Beurnier, Walid Choucha, Emmanuelle Corruble, Laurent Dortet, Isabelle Hardy-Leger, Francois Radiguer, Sabine Sportouch, Christiane Verny, Benjamin Wyplosz, Mohamad Zaidan, Laurent Becquemont, David Montani, Xavier Monnet
Summary: After 4 months of hospitalization for COVID-19, a significant proportion of patients reported new symptoms and abnormalities in lung scans were common. Further research is needed to understand the long-term consequences of COVID-19.
JAMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Mariah K. Evans, Jeremy L. Grove, Tapan A. Patel, Molly Gromatsky, Patrick S. Calhoun, Jean C. Beckham, Nathan A. Kimbrel
Summary: This study aimed to explore the association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in veterans. Contrary to hypotheses, adult ADHD symptoms were not associated with NSSI history or disorder. Instead, disorders characterized by negative affect may have greater utility for predicting NSSI.
PSYCHIATRY RESEARCH
(2022)