Publications by authors named "M P M Boks"
Article Synopsis
- The study explores the biological differences linked to PTSD by examining DNA methylation changes in blood, suggesting they could indicate susceptibility or effects of trauma.
- Conducted by the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, the research included nearly 5,100 participants to identify specific genetic markers associated with PTSD.
- Results showed 11 significant CpG sites related to PTSD, with some also showing correlations between blood and brain tissue methylation, highlighting their potential role in understanding PTSD biology.
Background: The interest in psychedelics as a therapeutic intervention for existential distress of people with terminal illness grounds on their mechanism of action and effect on the spiritual/existential aspects accompanying end-of-life experiences.
Aims: This systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed at examining the efficacy and safety of psychedelic compounds for existential distress in terminally ill people.
Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and clinicaltrials.
Importance: Schizophrenia is associated with increased age-related morbidity, mortality, and frailty, which are not entirely explained by behavioral factors. Prior studies using epigenetic clocks have suggested that schizophrenia is associated with accelerated aging, however these studies have primarily used unidimensional clocks that summarize aging as a single "biological age" score.
Objective: This meta-analysis uses multidimensional epigenetic clocks that split aging into multiple scores to analyze biological aging in schizophrenia.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the impact of genetic variations in FAAH, CRHR1, and CNR1 polymorphisms on anxiety and trauma symptoms in military veterans after stressful deployments.
- Nearly 949 veterans were genotyped and evaluated for anxiety and PTSD symptoms before and six months post-deployment, but no significant relationship was found between these genetic variations and anxiety or PTSD symptoms.
- Childhood trauma emerged as a significant factor in these models, highlighting the need to consider past experiences when examining genetic influences on mental health outcomes.
Article Synopsis
- Subcortical brain structures play a crucial role in various developmental and psychiatric disorders, and a study analyzed brain volumes in 74,898 individuals, identifying 254 genetic loci linked to these volumes, which accounted for up to 35% of variation.
- The research included exploring gene expression in specific neural cell types, focusing on genes involved in intracellular signaling and processes related to brain aging.
- The findings suggest that certain genetic variants not only influence brain volume but also have potential causal links to conditions like Parkinson’s disease and ADHD, highlighting the genetic basis for risks associated with neuropsychiatric disorders.