Novel Treatment For Preventing Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Groundbreaking discovery about a new potential treatment and prevention for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has now been discovered which could be boon to millions in years to come.

Groundbreaking discovery about a new potential treatment and prevention for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has now been discovered which could be boon to millions in years to come.//

The research team, led by Dr. Fang Liu, Senior Scientist and Head of Molecular Neuroscience in CAMH's Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, and Professor and Co-director of Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Translation, Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, recently identified a protein complex that is elevated in PTSD patients.

Anxiety - Symptom Evaluation - Causes FAQs
Anxiety is a state of mind where a person experiences fear, uneasiness, tension, irritability or apprehension in response to an unfamiliar stressful situation or object.

TOP INSIGHT

We believe this protein complex usually increases after severe stress, but in most cases, levels soon go back to baseline levels, however, in those who develop PTSD.
Read More..

The researchers also developed a peptide to target and disrupt the protein complex. They found that the peptide prevented recall or encoding of fear memories in early tests. This suggests that the peptide could treat PTSD symptoms or prevent them entirely.

"The discovery of the Glucocorticoid Receptor-FKBP51 protein complex provides a new understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying PTSD," said Dr. Liu. "We believe this protein complex normally increases after severe stress, but in most cases, levels soon go back to baseline levels. However, in those who develop PTSD, the protein complex remains persistently elevated, and so this could be a blood-based biomarker for PTSD as well as being a target for pharmacological treatment.

In addition, the peptide we developed could be given after a traumatic event, and could possibly prevent the patient from developing PTSD. This is a completely new approach to PTSD and for psychiatric disorders in general."

Herbs that Reduce Anxiety and Depression
Read on to find out which herbs and herbal products are useful and effective in treating the chronic and recurring disorders such as anxiety and depression.

PTSD occurs in some people after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events, such as sexual assault or military combat. Patients can suffer from debilitating flashbacks, nightmares and anxiety, which can severely impact the quality of life. There are currently no laboratory diagnostic tests for PTSD, and existing treatments have limited efficacy. According to a recent study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, Canada has the highest prevalence of PTSD among 24 examined countries, and 9.2 percent of Canadians will develop PTSD in their lifetimes. "We are thrilled this CAMH-led discovery can potentially help millions of people put the trauma behind them," added Dr. Liu.

The study has been supported by CIHR and the CAMH Discovery Fund. CAMH has filed a patent for the peptide and diagnostic aspect of Dr. Liu's invention. Dr. Liu and her team will conduct further testing and refining of the peptide before conducting human clinical trials.