Try a new search

Format these results:

Searched for:

person:marmac01

Total Results:

342


Circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA levels and glucocorticoid sensitivity in a cohort of male veterans with and without combat-related PTSD

Blalock, Zachary N; Wu, Gwyneth W Y; Lindqvist, Daniel; Trumpff, Caroline; Flory, Janine D; Lin, Jue; Reus, Victor I; Rampersaud, Ryan; Hammamieh, Rasha; Gautam, Aarti; ,; Doyle, Francis J; Marmar, Charles R; Jett, Marti; Yehuda, Rachel; Wolkowitz, Owen M; Mellon, Synthia H
Circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA (ccf-mtDNA) is a biomarker of cellular injury or cellular stress and is a potential novel biomarker of psychological stress and of various brain, somatic, and psychiatric disorders. No studies have yet analyzed ccf-mtDNA levels in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), despite evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction in this condition. In the current study, we compared plasma ccf-mtDNA levels in combat trauma-exposed male veterans with PTSD (n = 111) with those who did not develop PTSD (n = 121) and also investigated the relationship between ccf mt-DNA levels and glucocorticoid sensitivity. In unadjusted analyses, ccf-mtDNA levels did not differ significantly between the PTSD and non-PTSD groups (t = 1.312, p = 0.191, Cohen's d = 0.172). In a sensitivity analysis excluding participants with diabetes and those using antidepressant medication and controlling for age, the PTSD group had lower ccf-mtDNA levels than did the non-PTSD group (F(1, 179) = 5.971, p = 0.016, partial η2 = 0.033). Across the entire sample, ccf-mtDNA levels were negatively correlated with post-dexamethasone adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) decline (r = -0.171, p = 0.020) and cortisol decline (r = -0.149, p = 0.034) (viz., greater ACTH and cortisol suppression was associated with lower ccf-mtDNA levels) both with and without controlling for age, antidepressant status and diabetes status. Ccf-mtDNA levels were also significantly positively associated with IC50-DEX (the concentration of dexamethasone at which 50% of lysozyme activity is inhibited), a measure of lymphocyte glucocorticoid sensitivity, after controlling for age, antidepressant status, and diabetes status (β = 0.142, p = 0.038), suggesting that increased lymphocyte glucocorticoid sensitivity is associated with lower ccf-mtDNA levels. Although no overall group differences were found in unadjusted analyses, excluding subjects with diabetes and those taking antidepressants, which may affect ccf-mtDNA levels, as well as controlling for age, revealed decreased ccf-mtDNA levels in PTSD. In both adjusted and unadjusted analyses, low ccf-mtDNA levels were associated with relatively increased glucocorticoid sensitivity, often reported in PTSD, suggesting a link between mitochondrial and glucocorticoid-related abnormalities in PTSD.
PMCID:10781666
PMID: 38200001
ISSN: 2158-3188
CID: 5626542

Amygdala-derived-EEG-fMRI-pattern neurofeedback for the treatment of chronic post-traumatic stress disorder. A prospective, multicenter, multinational study evaluating clinical efficacy

Fruchter, Eyal; Goldenthal, Nadav; Adler, Lenard A; Gross, Raz; Harel, Eiran V; Deutsch, Lisa; Nacasch, Nitsa; Grinapol, Shulamit; Amital, Daniela; Voigt, Jeffrey D; Marmar, Charles R
We conducted a prospective, single arm, multisite, multinational, open label trial assessing the safety and efficacy of a novel amygdala derived neurofeedback treatment, designated Amygdala-Derived-EFP, for chronic PTSD. Participants, including veterans and civilians, underwent screening, training, 15 neurofeedback sessions over 8 weeks and; baseline, termination (8 weeks) and 3 month post treatment assessments with validated measures. The primary endpoint was more than 50 % of the participants demonstrating a Minimally Clinically Important Difference (MCID) defined as a 6-point reduction, on the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) total score at 3 months. Secondary measures included the PCL-5, ERQ, PHQ-9, and CGI. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS®V9.4. The primary endpoint was met, with a CAPS-5 MCID response rate of 66.7 %. The average reduction in CAPS-5 total scores at 3 month follow up was 13.5 points, more than twice the MCID. Changes from baseline in CAPS-5, PCL-5, PHQ-9 scores at 8 weeks and the 3 month follow-up demonstrated statistically significant improvements in response and; demonstrated effect sizes ranging from 0.46 to 1.07. Adverse events were mild and resolved after treatment. This study builds on prior research demonstrating similar outcomes using amygdala-derived neurofeedback. Positive attributes of this therapy include monitoring by non-physician personnel, affordability, accessibility, and tolerability.
PMID: 38325159
ISSN: 1872-7123
CID: 5632712

Pilot Study of Prism EFP NeuroFeedback in Adult ADHD

Adler, Lenard A; Anbarasan, Deepti; Leon, Terry; Sardoff, Taylor; Descorbeth, Olivia; Cho, Dayeon; Stern, Yaki; Kraft, Oded; Hendler, Talma; Marmar, Charles R
OBJECTIVE/UNASSIGNED:A pilot study to preliminarily examine the effects of Prism EFP NeuroFeedback (NF) in adult ADHD. METHOD/UNASSIGNED:Prism EFP NF is a form of NF specifically designed to target emotional dysregulation (ED) through down regulation of amygdala activity. Prism EFP NF has been shown to improve other disorders with significant ED. Nine participants with adult ADHD received an open trial of Prism EFP NF consisting of fifteen sessions over 8 weeks; all completed at least 5 weeks of treatment with seven completing all 8 weeks. Outcomes were assessed by change in ADHD symptoms from baseline to End of Treatment. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:About two-third reduction was seen in total DSM ADHD symptom scores (primary outcome measure) with improvement observed in all other clinical measures. No significant adverse events were seen. CONCLUSION/UNASSIGNED:This preliminary trial found substantial effects of Prism EFP NF on ADHD/ED symptoms and global impairment.
PMID: 38152997
ISSN: 1557-1246
CID: 5623272

Integrated analysis of proteomics, epigenomics and metabolomics data revealed divergent pathway activation patterns in the recent versus chronic post-traumatic stress disorder

Muhie, Seid; Gautam, Aarti; Misganaw, Burook; Yang, Ruoting; Mellon, Synthia H; Hoke, Allison; Flory, Janine; Daigle, Bernie; Swift, Kevin; ,; Hood, Leroy; Doyle, Francis J; Wolkowitz, Owen M; Marmar, Charles R; Ressler, Kerry; Yehuda, Rachel; Hammamieh, Rasha; Jett, Marti
Metabolomics, proteomics and DNA methylome assays, when done in tandem from the same blood sample and analyzed together, offer an opportunity to evaluate the molecular basis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) course and pathogenesis. We performed separate metabolomics, proteomics, and DNA methylome assays on blood samples from two well-characterized cohorts of 159 active duty male participants with relatively recent onset PTSD (<1.5 years) and 300 male veterans with chronic PTSD (>7 years). Analyses of the multi-omics datasets from these two independent cohorts were used to identify convergent and distinct molecular profiles that might constitute potential signatures of severity and progression of PTSD and its comorbid conditions. Molecular signatures indicative of homeostatic processes such as signaling and metabolic pathways involved in cellular remodeling, neurogenesis, molecular safeguards against oxidative stress, metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids, regulation of normal immune response, post-transcriptional regulation, cellular maintenance and markers of longevity were significantly activated in the active duty participants with recent PTSD. In contrast, we observed significantly altered multimodal molecular signatures associated with chronic inflammation, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, and cellular attritions in the veterans with chronic PTSD. Activation status of signaling and metabolic pathways at the early and late timepoints of PTSD demonstrated the differential molecular changes related to homeostatic processes at its recent and multi-system syndromes at its chronic phase. Molecular alterations in the recent PTSD seem to indicate some sort of recalibration or compensatory response, possibly directed in mitigating the pathological trajectory of the disorder.
PMID: 37516387
ISSN: 1090-2139
CID: 5618912

Molecular signatures of post-traumatic stress disorder in war-zone-exposed veteran and active-duty soldiers

Muhie, Seid; Gautam, Aarti; Yang, Ruoting; Misganaw, Burook; Daigle, Bernie J; Mellon, Synthia H; Flory, Janine D; Abu-Amara, Duna; Lee, Inyoul; Wang, Kai; Rampersaud, Ryan; Hood, Leroy; Yehuda, Rachel; Marmar, Charles R; Wolkowitz, Owen M; Ressler, Kerry J; Doyle, Francis J; Hammamieh, Rasha; Jett, Marti
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a multisystem syndrome. Integration of systems-level multi-modal datasets can provide a molecular understanding of PTSD. Proteomic, metabolomic, and epigenomic assays are conducted on blood samples of two cohorts of well-characterized PTSD cases and controls: 340 veterans and 180 active-duty soldiers. All participants had been deployed to Iraq and/or Afghanistan and exposed to military-service-related criterion A trauma. Molecular signatures are identified from a discovery cohort of 218 veterans (109/109 PTSD+/-). Identified molecular signatures are tested in 122 separate veterans (62/60 PTSD+/-) and in 180 active-duty soldiers (PTSD+/-). Molecular profiles are computationally integrated with upstream regulators (genetic/methylation/microRNAs) and functional units (mRNAs/proteins/metabolites). Reproducible molecular features of PTSD are identified, including activated inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic dysregulation, and impaired angiogenesis. These processes may play a role in psychiatric and physical comorbidities, including impaired repair/wound healing mechanisms and cardiovascular, metabolic, and psychiatric diseases.
PMCID:10213980
PMID: 37196634
ISSN: 2666-3791
CID: 5503572

Screening for PTSD and TBI in Veterans using Routine Clinical Laboratory Blood Tests

Xu, Mu; Lin, Ziqiang; Siegel, Carole E; Laska, Eugene M; Abu-Amara, Duna; Genfi, Afia; Newman, Jennifer; Jeffers, Michelle K; Blessing, Esther M; Flanagan, Steven R; Fossati, Silvia; Etkin, Amit; Marmar, Charles R
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder diagnosed by clinical interviews, self-report measures and neuropsychological testing. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have neuropsychiatric symptoms similar to PTSD. Diagnosing PTSD and TBI is challenging and more so for providers lacking specialized training facing time pressures in primary care and other general medical settings. Diagnosis relies heavily on patient self-report and patients frequently under-report or over-report their symptoms due to stigma or seeking compensation. We aimed to create objective diagnostic screening tests utilizing Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) blood tests available in most clinical settings. CLIA blood test results were ascertained in 475 male veterans with and without PTSD and TBI following warzone exposure in Iraq or Afghanistan. Using random forest (RF) methods, four classification models were derived to predict PTSD and TBI status. CLIA features were selected utilizing a stepwise forward variable selection RF procedure. The AUC, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.730, 0.706, 0.659, and 0.715, respectively for differentiating PTSD and healthy controls (HC), 0.704, 0.677, 0.671, and 0.681 for TBI vs. HC, 0.739, 0.742, 0.635, and 0.766 for PTSD comorbid with TBI vs HC, and 0.726, 0.723, 0.636, and 0.747 for PTSD vs. TBI. Comorbid alcohol abuse, major depressive disorder, and BMI are not confounders in these RF models. Markers of glucose metabolism and inflammation are among the most significant CLIA features in our models. Routine CLIA blood tests have the potential for discriminating PTSD and TBI cases from healthy controls and from each other. These findings hold promise for the development of accessible and low-cost biomarker tests as screening measures for PTSD and TBI in primary care and specialty settings.
PMCID:9944218
PMID: 36810280
ISSN: 2158-3188
CID: 5448152

Pilot Study of Prism EFP NeuroFeedback in Adult ADHD

Adler, Lenard A.; Anbarasan, Deepti; Leon, Terry; Sardoff, Taylor; Descorbeth, Olivia; Cho, Dayeon; Stern, Yaki; Kraft, Oded; Hendler, Talma; Marmar, Charles R.
Objective: A pilot study to preliminarily examine the effects of Prism EFP NeuroFeedback (NF) in adult ADHD. Method: Prism EFP NF is a form of NF specifically designed to target emotional dysregulation (ED) through down regulation of amygdala activity. Prism EFP NF has been shown to improve other disorders with significant ED. Nine participants with adult ADHD received an open trial of Prism EFP NF consisting of fifteen sessions over 8 weeks; all completed at least 5 weeks of treatment with seven completing all 8 weeks. Outcomes were assessed by change in ADHD symptoms from baseline to End of Treatment. Results: About two-third reduction was seen in total DSM ADHD symptom scores (primary outcome measure) with improvement observed in all other clinical measures. No significant adverse events were seen. Conclusion: This preliminary trial found substantial effects of Prism EFP NF on ADHD/ED symptoms and global impairment.
SCOPUS:85181227103
ISSN: 1087-0547
CID: 5630972

Traumatic stress symptoms in family caregivers of patients with acute leukaemia: protocol for a multisite mixed methods, longitudinal, observational study

Jibb, Lindsay A; Nanos, Stephanie M; Alexander, Sarah; Malfitano, Carmine; Rydall, Anne; Gupta, Sumit; Schimmer, Aaron D; Zimmermann, Camilla; Hales, Sarah; Nissim, Rinat; Marmar, Charles; Schultebraucks, Katharina; Mah, Kenneth; Rodin, Gary
INTRODUCTION:The diagnosis, progression or recurrence of cancer is often highly traumatic for family caregivers (FCs), but systematic assessments of distress and approaches for its prevention and treatment are lacking. Acute leukaemia (AL) is a life-threatening cancer of the blood, which most often presents acutely, requires intensive treatment and is associated with severe physical symptoms. Consequently, traumatic stress may be common in the FCs of patients with AL. We aim to determine the prevalence, severity, longitudinal course and predictors of traumatic stress symptoms in FCs of patients with AL in the first year after diagnosis, and to understand their lived experience of traumatic stress and perceived support needs. METHODS AND ANALYSIS:This two-site longitudinal, observational, mixed methods study will recruit 223 adult FCs of paediatric or adult patients newly diagnosed with AL from two tertiary care centres. Quantitative data will be collected from self-report questionnaires at enrolment, and 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after admission to hospital for initial treatment. Quantitative data will be analysed using descriptive and machine learning approaches and a multilevel modelling (MLM) approach will be used to confirm machine learning findings. Semi-structured qualitative interviews will be conducted at 3, 6 and 12 months and analysed using a grounded theory approach. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION:This study is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR number PJT 173255) and has received ethical approval from the Ontario Cancer Research Ethics Board (CTO Project ID: 2104). The data generated have the potential to inform the development of targeted psychosocial interventions for traumatic stress, which is a public health priority for high-risk populations such as FCs of patients with haematological malignancies. An integrated and end-of-study knowledge translation strategy that involves FCs and other stakeholders will be used to interpret and disseminate study results.
PMCID:9639100
PMID: 36332954
ISSN: 2044-6055
CID: 5365212

The Genetic Basis for the Increased Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Patients

Misganaw, Burook; Yang, Ruoting; Gautam, Aarti; Muhie, Seid; Mellon, Synthia H; Wolkowitz, Owen M; Ressler, Kerry J; Doyle, Francis J; Marmar, Charles R; Jett, Marti; Hammamieh, Rasha
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly debilitating psychiatric disorder that can be triggered by exposure to extreme trauma. Even if PTSD is primarily a psychiatric condition, it is also characterized by adverse somatic comorbidities. One illness commonly co-occurring with PTSD is Metabolic syndrome (MetS), which is defined by a set of health risk/resilience factors including obesity, elevated blood pressure, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, higher triglycerides, higher fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance. Here, phenotypic association between PTSD and components of MetS are tested on a military veteran cohort comprising chronic PTSD presentation (n = 310, 47% cases, 83% male). Consistent with previous observations, we found significant phenotypic correlation between the various components of MetS and PTSD severity scores. To examine if this observed symptom correlations stem from a shared genetic background, we conducted genetic correlation analysis using summary statistics data from large-scale genetic studies. Our results show robust positive genetic correlation between PTSD and MetS (rg[SE] = 0.33 [0.056], p = 4.74E-09), and obesity-related components of MetS (rg = 0.25, SE = 0.05, p = 6.4E-08). Prioritizing genomic regions with larger local genetic correlation implicate three significant loci. Overall, these findings show significant genetic overlap between PTSD and MetS, which may in part account for the markedly increased occurrence of MetS among PTSD patients.
PMCID:9604263
PMID: 36293361
ISSN: 1422-0067
CID: 5358082

Randomized controlled experimental study of hydrocortisone and D-cycloserine effects on fear extinction in PTSD

Inslicht, Sabra S; Niles, Andrea N; Metzler, Thomas J; Lipshitz, Sa'ar L; Otte, Christian; Milad, Mohammed R; Orr, Scott P; Marmar, Charles R; Neylan, Thomas C
Fear extinction underlies prolonged exposure, one of the most well-studied treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There has been increased interest in exploring pharmacological agents to enhance fear extinction learning in humans and their potential as adjuncts to PE. The objective of such adjuncts is to augment the clinical impact of PE on the durability and magnitude of symptom reduction. In this study, we examined whether hydrocortisone (HC), a corticosteroid, and D-Cycloserine (DCS), an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor partial agonist, enhance fear extinction learning and consolidation in individuals with PTSD. In a double-blind placebo-controlled 3-group experimental design, 90 individuals with full or subsyndromal PTSD underwent fear conditioning with stimuli that were paired (CS+) or unpaired (CS-) with shock. Extinction learning occurred 72 h later and extinction retention was tested one week after extinction. HC 25 mg, DCS 50 mg or placebo was administered one hour prior to extinction learning. During extinction learning, the DCS and HC groups showed a reduced differential CS+/CS- skin conductance response (SCR) compared to placebo (b = -0.19, CI = -0.01 to -37, p = 0.042 and b = -0.25, CI = -08 to -0.43, p = 0.005, respectively). A nonsignificant trend for a lower differential CS+/CS- SCR in the DCS group, compared to placebo, (b = -0.25, CI = 0.04 to -0.55, p = 0.089) was observed at retention testing, one week later. A single dose of HC and DCS facilitated fear extinction learning in participants with PTSD symptoms. While clinical implications have yet to be determined, our findings suggest that glucocorticoids and NMDA agonists hold promise for facilitating extinction learning in PTSD.
PMID: 34799682
ISSN: 1740-634x
CID: 5049822