FDA rejects MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD

I might be wrong, but PTSD is one of those more ambiguous and controversial  diagnoses like gender dysphoria!

The usual placebo testing is very difficult or impossible with psychedelic drugs.

On the other hand, there is e.g. the Right to Try issue and government paternalism.

Scientists uncover 95 regions of the genome linked to PTSD

Good news, but that is a lot of regions!

"... Now, a new genetic study of more than 1.2 million people has pinpointed 95 loci, or locations in the genome, that are associated with risk of developing PTSD, including 80 that had not been previously identified. The study ... is the largest and most diverse of its kind, and also identified 43 genes that appear to have a role in causing PTSD. ..."

From the abstract:

"Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) genetics are characterized by lower discoverability than most other psychiatric disorders. The contribution to biological understanding from previous genetic studies has thus been limited. We performed a multi-ancestry meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies across 1,222,882 individuals of European ancestry (137,136 cases) and 58,051 admixed individuals with African and Native American ancestry (13,624 cases). We identified 95 genome-wide significant loci (80 new). Convergent multi-omic approaches identified 43 potential causal genes, broadly classified as neurotransmitter and ion channel synaptic modulators (for example, GRIA1, GRM8 and CACNA1E), developmental, axon guidance and transcription factors (for example, FOXP2, EFNA5 and DCC), synaptic structure and function genes (for example, PCLO, NCAM1 and PDE4B) and endocrine or immune regulators (for example, ESR1, TRAF3 and TANK). Additional top genes influence stress, immune, fear and threat-related processes, previously hypothesized to underlie PTSD neurobiology. These findings strengthen our understanding of neurobiological systems relevant to PTSD pathophysiology, while also opening new areas for investigation."

Scientists uncover 95 regions of the genome linked to PTSD | Broad Institute Findings from the largest genetic study of PTSD to date could help explain why only some people develop the condition after experiencing trauma.

Genome-wide association analyses identify 95 risk loci and provide insights into the neurobiology of post-traumatic stress disorder (no public access)

Scientists uncover 95 (of which 80 new) regions and identified 43 potential causal genes of the genome linked to PTSD

Good news! Impressive! “This is a milestone for PTSD genetics.”

"... Now, a new genetic study of more than 1.2 million people has pinpointed 95 loci, or locations in the genome, that are associated with risk of developing PTSD, including 80 that had not been previously identified. The study, from the PTSD working group within the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC—PTSD) together with Cohen Veterans Bioscience, is the largest and most diverse of its kind, and also identified 43 genes that appear to have a role in causing PTSD. ...

Previous twin and genetic studies, including an investigation by the same team in 2017 and an expanded study in 2019, showed that PTSD has a genetic component, and that many genes contribute to the condition. ..."

From the abstract:

"Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) genetics are characterized by lower discoverability than most other psychiatric disorders. The contribution to biological understanding from previous genetic studies has thus been limited. We performed a multi-ancestry meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies across 1,222,882 individuals of European ancestry (137,136 cases) and 58,051 admixed individuals with African and Native American ancestry (13,624 cases). We identified 95 genome-wide significant loci (80 new). Convergent multi-omic approaches identified 43 potential causal genes, broadly classified as neurotransmitter and ion channel synaptic modulators (for example, GRIA1, GRM8 and CACNA1E), developmental, axon guidance and transcription factors (for example, FOXP2, EFNA5 and DCC), synaptic structure and function genes (for example, PCLO, NCAM1 and PDE4B) and endocrine or immune regulators (for example, ESR1, TRAF3 and TANK). Additional top genes influence stress, immune, fear and threat-related processes, previously hypothesized to underlie PTSD neurobiology. These findings strengthen our understanding of neurobiological systems relevant to PTSD pathophysiology, while also opening new areas for investigation."

Scientists uncover 95 regions of the genome linked to PTSD

Scientists uncover 95 regions of the genome linked to PTSD (original new release) Findings from the largest genetic study of PTSD to date could help explain why only some people develop the condition after experiencing trauma.

Genome-wide association analyses identify 95 risk loci and provide insights into the neurobiology of post-traumatic stress disorder (no public access)

Australia to prescribe MDMA and psilocybin for PTSD and depression in world first

That is certainly an attention grabbing headline! And are these really treatments or rather symptom relievers?

To relieve symptoms is important as well and it offers opportunities for other treatments or recovery, but it may promote dependence or worse.

How many drug addicts may claim they have depression or other qualifying conditions in order to legally obtain psychoactive substances?

However, it is expected that the rollout of this new therapy will be slow given all the requirements and conditions attached to it.

"... A phase II trial, published late last year, showed that a 25 mg dose of psilocybin was twice as effective as a 1 mg dose in combating treatment-resistant depression, although significant side effects were noted. And a report on a phase III trial of MDMA described it as a “potential breakthrough treatment” for PTSD. The drugs have also shown potential in treating anxiety, anorexia and substance addiction.

Nations including the United States, Canada and Israel allow individual use of these drugs on compassionate grounds or in clinical trials, but on 1 July Australia will be the first to regulate the drugs as medications, to be prescribed by approved psychiatrists. ...

Among researchers’ concerns is that research has yet to show which patients are best suited to the treatments. “It’s not for everybody. We need to work out who these people are that are going to have bad experiences, and not recommend it,” ...
administered improperly, the drugs could give people bad trips and leave them with increased psychological issues. ..."

Australia to prescribe MDMA and psilocybin for PTSD and depression in world first Decision to make the previously illicit drugs available is dogged by suggestions the decision was rushed.

New study hopes to prove that intensive breathing therapy can treat PTSD in U.S. veterans

Good news! An unusual approach! If you want to get high without substance abuse, try this one! 😊

"... Determined to find a way to help patients achieve altered states of consciousness without breaking the law, ... developed a form of rapid, heavy breathing they said could trigger something akin to a psychedelic trip, in particular its intense emotions, sensory distortions, and surprising insights. Holotropic Breathwork ...
The therapy has been practiced by tens of thousands of people for more than 40 years, but, ... research to confirm its efficacy has been "minor, anecdotal, and not carried out at large institutions." Until now. ...

first-of-its-kind study that will examine what impact Holotropic Breathwork might have on veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. ...

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the number of veterans with PTSD varies by conflict, from 11% of those who served in Afghanistan to 31% of Vietnam War vets. PTSD is caused by experiencing or bearing witness to a terrifying event—violent combat, for example, or the death of a fellow servicemember—and its symptoms include nightmares, hypervigilance, and rage. The disorder is often accompanied by depression and anxiety. Two-thirds of patients with PTSD do not respond to traditional treatments, such as cognitive processing and exposure therapies. ..."

New study hopes to prove that breathwork therapy can treat PTSD in veterans | Hub

Study: PTSD sufferers share bacterial footprint in saliva

Good news! Amazing stuff! Will come in handy e.g. for the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war that is now almost six months in progress!

It is amazing to what extent, what length the Israelis go to ensure the health of their soldiers as much as humanly possible! Highly commendable!

"... They discovered that soldiers who had experienced combat stress related reactions from Israel’s first war with Lebanon in 1982, and were still suffering post-trauma, showed a typical microbial picture in their saliva. ...
“We were surprised to discover that about a third of the PTSD subjects had never been diagnosed with post-trauma, so they never received any recognition from the Ministry of Defense and the official authorities,” ...
The participants in the study came from a larger cohort of subjects involved in a comprehensive four-decade-long study of veterans ...
This study was also supported by the Israel Defense Force’s Medical Corps Department of Health and Well-Being ..."

From the abstract:

"Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) represents a global public health concern, affecting about 1 in 20 individuals. The symptoms of PTSD include intrusiveness (involuntary nightmares or flashbacks), avoidance of traumatic memories, negative alterations in cognition and mood (such as negative beliefs about oneself or social detachment), increased arousal and reactivity with irritable reckless behavior, concentration problems, and sleep disturbances. PTSD is also highly comorbid with anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. To advance the field from subjective, self-reported psychological measurements to objective molecular biomarkers while considering environmental influences, we examined a unique cohort of Israeli veterans who participated in the 1982 Lebanon war. Non-invasive oral 16S RNA sequencing was correlated with psychological phenotyping. Thus, a microbiota signature (i.e., decreased levels of the bacteria sp_HMT_914, 332 and 871 and Noxia) was correlated with PTSD severity, as exemplified by intrusiveness, arousal, and reactivity, as well as additional psychopathological symptoms, including anxiety, hostility, memory difficulties, and idiopathic pain. In contrast, education duration correlated with significantly increased levels of sp_HMT_871 and decreased levels of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, and presented an inverted correlation with adverse psychopathological measures. Air pollution was positively correlated with PTSD symptoms, psychopathological symptoms, and microbiota composition. Arousal and reactivity symptoms were correlated with reductions in transaldolase, an enzyme controlling a major cellular energy pathway, that potentially accelerates aging. In conclusion, the newly discovered bacterial signature, whether an outcome or a consequence of PTSD, could allow for objective soldier deployment and stratification according to decreases in sp_HMT_914, 332, 871, and Noxia levels, coupled with increases in Bacteroidetes levels. These findings also raise the possibility of microbiota pathway-related non-intrusive treatments for PTSD."

Study: PTSD sufferers share bacterial footprint in saliva - ISRAEL21c Breakthrough research may help speedy diagnosis and treatment of people suffering from post-trauma. 

Oral microbiota signatures in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) veterans (no public access)

How Israel has become an unexpected leader in medicinal psychedelics

Recommendable! High in Israel under siege! Toll of the over 70 year old Arab-Israeli War!

"... Over 10 percent of the Israeli population experiences PTSD ... 
With military service mandatory and conflicts breaking out every few years, most Israeli families have experience with PTSD. There’s also trauma in communities near the Gaza border that are under regular but unpredictable rocket attack. ... In early 2019, Israel became the first government worldwide to approve a “Compassionate Use” program for MDMA[ecstasy]-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. The United States followed Israel’s lead when the FDA approved limited MDMA therapy in December 2019. ... "

How Israel has become an unexpected leader in medicinal psychedelics - ISRAEL21c: Find out how Israel has quietly become one of the world leaders in the research and use of medicinal psychedelics.