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08/07/2025

New Drug Targets Brain Glial Cells to Reverse PTSD Symptoms

A major breakthrough in PTSD research has revealed that glial cells may hold the key to understanding why fear memories persist.

Scientists identified that astrocytes release abnormal levels of GABA, which suppress the brain's ability to extinguish traumatic memories.

The culprit is the enzyme MAOB, and its inhibition by KDS2010 showed remarkable results in animal models.

This drug has already passed Phase 1 safety trials in humans.

The research uses a reverse translational approach, linking brain imaging in humans to lab-based cellular studies.

It represents a paradigm shift toward astrocyte-focused interventions in psychiatric disorders.

https://neurosciencenews.com/glial-cells-ptsd-29543/

07/13/2025

Robin Williams once said:

“In every corner of the world, someone is fighting a silent battle — a torment that leaves no marks on the skin but weighs heavily on the soul.”

Depression isn’t just feeling down or having a bad day. It’s a quiet storm, a deep and invisible struggle. And sometimes, the ones who bring the most light into the world are the very people who’ve endured the darkest paths.

Behind a smile can hide a storm... a silent scream no one hears.

💬 So be kind. Be the hand that doesn’t judge. The presence that brings comfort. Because you never know — your words, your gesture, your empathy could be someone’s anchor in their hardest moment.

Let’s choose compassion. Always. 💙

07/13/2025

Exactly

07/02/2025

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07/01/2025

AI Facial Analysis Detects PTSD

Diagnosing PTSD in children is notoriously difficult due to their limited verbal and emotional expression.

Researchers developed an AI system that analyzes facial movements—like eye gaze and mouth tension—to identify subtle signs of trauma in a privacy-preserving way.

The tool discards raw video and focuses only on de-identified facial data, ensuring ethical use.

In trials, AI detected unique facial patterns linked to PTSD, especially during therapist-child conversations.

This supports the idea that children may reveal more emotion to clinicians than to parents.

If validated in larger studies, the tool could offer clinicians a powerful, non-invasive aid for diagnosis and monitoring.

https://neurosciencenews.com/ai-face-ptsd-29378/

07/01/2025

While Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is often associated with military personnel, PTSD affects approximately 6-7% of people in the U.S.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It's a normal response to abnormal situations.

By the Numbers
*3.5% of U.S. adults experience PTSD yearly
*1 in 11 people will be diagnosed with PTSD in their lifetime
*Women are 2x more likely to develop PTSD than men
*70% of adults worldwide have experienced a traumatic event
*8 million adults have PTSD during a given year

Treatment That Works
✓ Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
✓ Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
✓ Prolonged Exposure Therapy
✓ Medication when appropriate
✓ Group therapy and support groups

Today is PTSD Awareness Day—a time to increase understanding of a condition that affects millions worldwide. PTSD isn't just a military veteran's condition; it can affect anyone who has experienced or witnessed trauma.

Let's break the stigma. Share this to spread awareness and support those on their healing journey. 💚

06/21/2025

How PTSD Disrupts Brain Cell Communication

In a groundbreaking study, researchers used single-cell analysis to uncover how PTSD alters brain function at the molecular level.

By isolating individual nuclei from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, they identified changes in inhibitory neurons that may contribute to the overreactive stress responses seen in PTSD.

These neurons, which typically prevent excessive firing, appeared to lose regulatory control.

The team also found that microglia, the brain’s immune cells, behaved differently between PTSD and major depression—underactive in PTSD and overactive in depression.

Additionally, endothelial cells tied to the brain’s vasculature showed signs of damage in PTSD brains, potentially increasing stress hormone exposure.

These findings suggest PTSD may require targeted treatments distinct from traditional antidepressants.

https://neurosciencenews.com/ptsd-brain-cell-29313/

06/11/2025

PTSD doesn’t always look like what we expect. It’s often quiet. Personal. Hidden in plain sight. It shows up in everyday moments—sometimes in ways that even the person experiencing it can’t put into words.

One of our Veterans once said, “You get really good at pretending you're fine when you're not.”

That’s why our work matters.

Because a Service Dog doesn’t need a backstory to understand when someone’s struggling. They just show up. Stay close. Offer calm in the middle of whatever storm is brewing—seen or unseen.

💙 If you believe everyone deserves that kind of steady support, you can help provide it.

https://retrievingfreedom.networkforgood.com/projects/56281-you-can-make-a-difference

05/13/2025

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05/10/2025

05/08/2025

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05/04/2025

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The VA has abruptly ended the only low-interest, affordable loan modification option for thousands of vets who are behind on their mortgages. We want to hear your story.