Brain cytokines have been implicated in brain plasticity and mood alterations. We present here the first evidence of a chronic stress-induced modulation of central cytokines, in absence of experimentally induced inflammatory processes. Several brain areas were extracted from stressed and control mice and cytokines mRNA analyzed with semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Mice subjected to chronic psychosocial stress showed decreased interleukin (IL)-1beta mRNA levels in the hippocampus, decreased IL-1Receptor antagonist in the striatum and pituitary, decreased tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in the striatum and hippocampus, and decreased glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in the striatum and hippocampus compared to group housed sibling mice. An independent group of mice subjected to chronic psychosocial stress also showed increased plasma corticosterone. These findings may open new perspectives for understanding the pathophysiological basis of chronic stress-induced disorders.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2003.09.009 | DOI Listing |
Epigenetics
December 2025
Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Perceived discrimination, recognized as a chronic psychosocial stressor, has adverse consequences on health. DNA methylation (DNAm) may be a potential mechanism by which stressors get embedded into the human body at the molecular level and subsequently affect health outcomes. However, relatively little is known about the effects of perceived discrimination on DNAm.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArch Womens Ment Health
January 2025
Erasmus MC - Sophia Children's Hospital, Department Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Division Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, South Holland, The Netherlands.
Purpose: Psychosocial risk factors are frequently present in pregnant women and are associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Professional guidelines recommend early detection of vulnerability and provision of multidisciplinary care, including an integrated care plan for pregnant women with social factors, such as residing in deprived areas, teenage pregnancy, and psychiatric illness. However, to date, such approach is impeded by lack of data on co-occurrence of vulnerability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeurocrit Care
January 2025
Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Background: Family caregivers of patients with severe acute brain injury (SABI) are at risk for clinically significant chronic emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. Existing psychosocial interventions for caregivers of intensive care unit (ICU) patients are not tailored to the unique needs of caregivers of patients with SABI, do not demonstrate long-term efficacy, and may increase caregiver burden. In this study, we explored the needs and preferences for psychosocial services among SABI caregivers to inform the development and adaptation of interventions to reduce their emotional distress during and after their relative's ICU admission.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOncologist
January 2025
Department of Medical Oncology & Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, United States.
Background: Patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) experience emotional distress and limited supportive care access. This study assesses a mindfulness app's feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy in improving emotional symptoms, trait mindfulness, and overall quality of life for patients with mRCC on immunotherapy.
Methods: This multinational study recruited patients with mRCC undergoing immunotherapy from Brazil and the United States.
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