Medical Bulletin 07/February/2024

Here are the top medical news of the day:

High maternal cortisol, associated with unpredicted birth complications

A snippet of hair can reveal a pregnant person's stress level and may one day help warn of unexpected birth problems, a study indicates. Researchers measured the stress hormone cortisol in hair samples of 53 women in their third trimester.

A group, 13 women who had elevated cortisol levels later experienced unpredicted birth complications, such as an early birth or hemorrhaging. While more research is needed with larger groups, this preliminary finding could eventually lead to a non-invasive way to identify those at risk for such complications.

While more research is needed with larger groups, this preliminary finding could eventually lead to a non-invasive way to identify those at risk for such complications.

The researchers reported their findings in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology.

Reference: J.A. Madigan, Sara F. Waters, Maria A. Gartstein, Jennifer A. Mattera, Christopher P. Connolly, Erica J. Crespi. Perinatal hair cortisol concentrations linked to psychological distress and unpredicted birth complications. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2024; 161: 106921 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106921

Blood pressure drug to reduce anxiety for people with autism finds study 

A new study has found that propranolol, a medication that treats high blood pressure, can also help lower anxiety for kids and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was recently published in Psychopharmacology.

Given that some individuals with ASD tend to struggle with anxiety at a far greater rate than their neurotypical peers, the new finding can significantly help such individuals with ASD. David Beversdorf, a clinician at the Thompson Center, led the study, which involved 69 patients over three years.

Compared to a placebo group, the participants who received propranolol showed significantly reduced anxiety levels at their 12-week check-up appointments while receiving the medication.

The study also examined if there were significant changes in the individuals' social communication skills, but no significant changes were found.

Reference: David Q. Beversdorf, Bradley Ferguson, Samantha Hunter, Kathy Hirst, Bridget Lolli, Katherine R. Bellesheim, Amy U. Barton, Julie Muckerman, Nicole Takahashi, Kimberly Selders, Ryan Holem, Kristin Sohl, Peter Dyke, Janine Stichter, Micah Mazurek, Stephen Kanne. Randomized controlled trial of propranolol on social communication and anxiety in children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Psychopharmacology, 2023; 241 (1): 19 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-023-06452-1

Major Study reveals brain changes due to childhood trauma

The University of Essex study -- led by the Department of Psychology's Dr Megan Klabunde conducted the largest-ever brain study on childhood trauma which showed its impact on development and the rewiring of crucial pathways.

They uncovered a disruption in neural networks involved in self-focus and problem-solving.

The research, which reviewed 14 studies involving over 580 children and published in Biological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, utilized AI to re-examine hundreds of brain scans, identifying patterns that could refine treatments for those affected by childhood trauma. This breakthrough suggests therapists might concentrate on methods that rewire affected brain centers and help rebuild a child's sense of self.

The paper re-examined functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans which highlights blood flow in different centres, showing neurological activity.

Reference: Rebecca Ireton, Anna Hughes, Megan Klabunde. An FMRI Meta-Analysis of Childhood Trauma. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, 2024; DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.01.009