The risk of suicide among individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is much higher than the general population, but identifying those individuals at greatest risk has been difficult. However, a team at Yale has discovered a biological marker linked to individuals with PTSD who are most likely to think about suicide, the researchers report May 13 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Researchers used PET imaging to measure levels of metabotropic glutamatergic receptor 5 (mGluR5) — which has been implicated in anxiety and mood disorders — in individuals with PTSD and major depressive disorder. They found high levels of mGluR5 in the PTSD group with current suicidal thoughts. They found no such elevated levels in the PTSD group with no suicidal thoughts or in those with depression, with or without current suicidal thoughts.
There are two FDA approved treatments for PTSD, both of which are anti-depressants. It can take weeks or months to determine whether they are effective. That can be too late for those who are suicidal, note the researchers.
“If you have people who suffer from high blood pressure, you want to reduce those levels right away,” said Irina Esterlis, associate professor of psychiatry at Yale and senior author of the study. “We don’t have that option with PTSD.”
Esterlis said testing for levels of mGluR5 in people who have experienced severe trauma might help identify those at greatest risk of harming themselves and prompt psychiatric interventions. Also, researchers might investigate ways to regulate levels mGluR5 with hopes of minimizing suicide risk in PTSD patients, she said.
Learn more: Biomarker reveals PTSD sufferers at risk of suicide
The Latest on: PTSD
[google_news title=”” keyword=”PTSD” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: PTSD
- Minneapolis Approves PTSD Settlement for George Floyd Witness Who Faced Police Intimidationon April 27, 2024 at 10:29 am
In an act that echoes the ongoing reckoning with police brutality and systemic racism in the United States, the Minneapolis City Council has approved a significant settlement for Donald Williams, a ...
- PTSD tied to 95 'risk hotspots' in the genomeon April 26, 2024 at 1:00 pm
In a group effort, scientists from all over the world came together to create a detailed map of the genetic causes behind PTSD.
- JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon reveals he has ‘PTSD’ from ‘near death’ heart surgery: ‘I knew it was 50/50’on April 26, 2024 at 8:43 am
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon admitted that he has “PTSD” from a “near death” heart surgery that took place in 2020. “When I was being wheeled in the operating room ...
- 'Who else can we save?' | Family remembers loved one while helping others struggling with PTSDon April 25, 2024 at 8:23 pm
After his 74-year-old father with PTSD was shot by Knox Co. deputies, his son created a nonprofit to help bridge the gap between veterans and the police.
- Minneapolis reaches $150k settlement with eyewitness of George Floyd’s murderon April 25, 2024 at 5:01 pm
The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday signed off on a $150,000 settlement with Donald Williams, an eyewitness to George Floyd's murder who says the experience caused him PTSD. Williams, 35, filed a ...
- PTSD crisis looms as troop shortages take toll on Ukrainian soldiers’ mental healthon April 25, 2024 at 1:43 pm
The situation wasn’t particularly dangerous, but she couldn’t bring herself to do her job as her fellow soldiers were getting wounded. "I found myself trapped in the dugout corner, trembling like a ...
- Veteran firefighter speaks about PTSD, mental health issues and addiction at the Dream Centeron April 23, 2024 at 9:55 pm
Scott Geiselhart worked as a firefighter. He said during that time, he became a pro at using the Jaws of Life to free people from wrecked cars.
- 10 Common Signs of C-PTSDon April 23, 2024 at 5:49 am
Family of origin trauma can lead to symptoms of C-PTSD, due to the developing brain's response to trauma. Nightmares, avoidance, and hypervigilance are common symptoms, although not experienced by all ...
- Republican Wants $1 Million for PTSD Over False Alarm About Dam Failureon April 22, 2024 at 12:29 pm
A fter multiple false alarms at the Tolt Dam have caused growing frustration, a Republican senator in Washington state is proposing that Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) pay $1 million for each future ...
- Survivors of Columbine shooting discuss struggles with PTSD, anxietyon April 20, 2024 at 9:03 am
The tragic events at Columbine High School in 1999, when 12 students and one teacher died in a mass shooting, marked a turning point for America.
via Bing News