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Neighborhood disadvantage leaves a mark on adolescent brains: White matter integrity tied to socioeconomic hardships, with a twist for teens battling depression
This study explored how the living conditions of neighborhoods can affect the brain structure of teenagers. The researchers found that higher levels of neighborhood disadvantage, defined by factors like poverty and education, were linked to lower white matter integrity in specific brain regions. Interestingly, this association was more pronounced in adolescents with milder depressive symptoms, highlighting the need for caution when applying these findings to all youth, especially those facing mental health challenges. The lead author, Dr. Tiffany Ho of the University of California, Los Angeles, noted the results suggest that the “policies we enact at a community level could have a major impact - for better or for worse - on developing brains.”
Cracking the code on PTSD: How stress hormones shape trauma responses
Scientists at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology studied how hormones called glucocorticoids affect the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study was conducted in rats with a specific genetic trait that mimics a reduced stress response, similar to that observed in individuals with PTSD. The researchers found that these rats displayed traits commonly seen in PTSD patients, such as dysfunctional fear responses, reduced size of a part of the brain (hippocampus) related to memory, and sleep problems. Dr. Carmen Sandi, one of the researchers, explained that having low levels of these stress hormones can predispose individuals to developing PTSD, providing important information for preventing and treating the disorder.
Struggling to cope: New study finds that social rejection hits harder for girls with a history of suicidal behavior
This research studied 138 girls aged 9 to 15 by using brain scans to see how they react to being socially rejected on purpose. The girls who had thoughts of suicide in the past showed more brain activity in an area related to controlling emotions (right inferior frontal gyrus) when faced with rejection, unlike other girls their age. Dr. Adam B. Miller, the lead researcher from RTI International, shared that working with teenagers in hospitals inspired the study, as many felt their emotions were too hard to handle before attempting suicide. About 30% of U.S. high school girls have had thoughts of suicide, and this study helps us understand how social rejection can contribute to these feelings. Dr. Miller mentioned that it's an early study but brings us closer to understanding the brain processes involved in a crisis.
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