Pub Date : 2025-11-21DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107705
Andrew C. Sheehan, Amanda M. Leonetti, Shealin H. Murray, Roopan Dhaliwal, Molly A. Stamp, Parker J. Holman, Cheryl M. McCormick, Charlis Raineki
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has detrimental consequences on cognitive, physiological, and social development. Adolescence, characterized by increased exploration, risk-taking, and social interaction, is a critical developmental stage that may amplify social deficits caused by PAE. This study examined how PAE affects social motivation in males and females across adolescent development using a social reward task to measure preferences for social and non-social stimuli at postnatal day (P)30, P40, P50, and P70. Our results demonstrated that PAE rats exhibited higher social motivation than controls during training and progressive ratio sessions. Extinction testing showed PAE males persisted in responding to the previously social side, resisting the typical shift to a non-social preference observed in controls. Dopamine receptor analysis revealed sex- and age-specific effects. Both PAE males and females showed increased D2 receptor expression in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) at P30 and P50. In contrast, D3 receptor expression was decreased in the NAcc of P30 PAE males. In the medial amygdala, PAE females exhibited reduced D3 expression at P40 and P70, while PAE males showed similar reductions at P30 and P50. These findings suggest that PAE disrupts development of social motivation and dopamine receptor expression, with distinct effects based on sex and developmental stage. The observed increases in D2 expression, coupled with decreases in the inhibitory D3 receptor, may contribute to the heightened social motivation in PAE rats by shifting the balance of dopamine signaling toward increased reward sensitivity and reduced behavioral inhibition.
{"title":"Increased social reward behavior in adolescent male and female rats exposed prenatally to alcohol is associated with altered dopamine receptor expression","authors":"Andrew C. Sheehan, Amanda M. Leonetti, Shealin H. Murray, Roopan Dhaliwal, Molly A. Stamp, Parker J. Holman, Cheryl M. McCormick, Charlis Raineki","doi":"10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107705","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107705","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has detrimental consequences on cognitive, physiological, and social development. Adolescence, characterized by increased exploration, risk-taking, and social interaction, is a critical developmental stage that may amplify social deficits caused by PAE. This study examined how PAE affects social motivation in males and females across adolescent development using a social reward task to measure preferences for social and non-social stimuli at postnatal day (P)30, P40, P50, and P70. Our results demonstrated that PAE rats exhibited higher social motivation than controls during training and progressive ratio sessions. Extinction testing showed PAE males persisted in responding to the previously social side, resisting the typical shift to a non-social preference observed in controls. Dopamine receptor analysis revealed sex- and age-specific effects. Both PAE males and females showed increased D2 receptor expression in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) at P30 and P50. In contrast, D3 receptor expression was decreased in the NAcc of P30 PAE males. In the medial amygdala, PAE females exhibited reduced D3 expression at P40 and P70, while PAE males showed similar reductions at P30 and P50. These findings suggest that PAE disrupts development of social motivation and dopamine receptor expression, with distinct effects based on sex and developmental stage. The observed increases in D2 expression, coupled with decreases in the inhibitory D3 receptor, may contribute to the heightened social motivation in PAE rats by shifting the balance of dopamine signaling toward increased reward sensitivity and reduced behavioral inhibition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20836,"journal":{"name":"Psychoneuroendocrinology","volume":"184 ","pages":"Article 107705"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145577670","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-21DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107704
Mariana Rodrigues , Jemar R. Bather , Adolfo G. Cuevas
Background
Aging anxiety is a multidimensional psychosocial stressor with potential implications for women’s long-term health, yet its biological embedding remains poorly understood. This study examined whether domain-specific aging anxieties are associated with accelerated epigenetic aging, using second-generation methylation-based biomarkers.
Methods
Data were drawn from 726 women participating in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. Aging anxiety was assessed across three domains: declining attractiveness, declining health, and reproductive aging. Epigenetic aging was measured using two complementary second-generation clocks: GrimAge2, which estimates cumulative biological damage and predicts mortality risk, and DunedinPACE, which captures the current pace of biological aging. Multivariable linear regression models tested associations between aging anxiety and epigenetic age acceleration, adjusting sequentially for sociodemographic factors, chronic health conditions, and health behaviors.
Results
Greater declining health anxiety was significantly associated with higher DunedinPACE z-scores (0.07 SD increase, 95 % CI: 0.01, 0.13). This association attenuated to non-significance after adjusting for health behaviors (0.02 SD increase, 95 % CI: −0.04, 0.08), which could be potential mediators on the exposure-outcome association pathway. Higher cumulative aging anxiety was significantly associated with a 0.07 SD increase (95 % CI: 0.01, 0.14) in DunedinPACE, but this association attenuated to non-significance after adjusting for chronic health conditions (0.06 SD increase, 95 % CI: −0.01, 0.13) and health behaviors (0.03 SD increase, 95 % CI: −0.03, 0.08).
Conclusion
Findings indicate that specific domains of aging anxiety, particularly fears about declining health, may manifest biologically and contribute to accelerated aging processes. These results support a biopsychosocial model in which subjective experiences of aging contribute to physiological decline. Future longitudinal studies are needed to clarify whether aging-related anxiety influences epigenetic aging trajectories among women.
{"title":"Aging anxiety and epigenetic aging in a national sample of adult women in the United States","authors":"Mariana Rodrigues , Jemar R. Bather , Adolfo G. Cuevas","doi":"10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107704","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107704","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Aging anxiety is a multidimensional psychosocial stressor with potential implications for women’s long-term health, yet its biological embedding remains poorly understood. This study examined whether domain-specific aging anxieties are associated with accelerated epigenetic aging, using second-generation methylation-based biomarkers.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Data were drawn from 726 women participating in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. Aging anxiety was assessed across three domains: declining attractiveness, declining health, and reproductive aging. Epigenetic aging was measured using two complementary second-generation clocks: GrimAge2, which estimates cumulative biological damage and predicts mortality risk, and DunedinPACE, which captures the current pace of biological aging. Multivariable linear regression models tested associations between aging anxiety and epigenetic age acceleration, adjusting sequentially for sociodemographic factors, chronic health conditions, and health behaviors.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Greater declining health anxiety was significantly associated with higher DunedinPACE z-scores (0.07 SD increase, 95 % CI: 0.01, 0.13). This association attenuated to non-significance after adjusting for health behaviors (0.02 SD increase, 95 % CI: −0.04, 0.08), which could be potential mediators on the exposure-outcome association pathway. Higher cumulative aging anxiety was significantly associated with a 0.07 SD increase (95 % CI: 0.01, 0.14) in DunedinPACE, but this association attenuated to non-significance after adjusting for chronic health conditions (0.06 SD increase, 95 % CI: −0.01, 0.13) and health behaviors (0.03 SD increase, 95 % CI: −0.03, 0.08).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Findings indicate that specific domains of aging anxiety, particularly fears about declining health, may manifest biologically and contribute to accelerated aging processes. These results support a biopsychosocial model in which subjective experiences of aging contribute to physiological decline. Future longitudinal studies are needed to clarify whether aging-related anxiety influences epigenetic aging trajectories among women.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20836,"journal":{"name":"Psychoneuroendocrinology","volume":"184 ","pages":"Article 107704"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145621439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-20DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107706
Rainbow Tin Hung Ho , Temmy Lee Ting Lo , Ted Chun Tat Fong , Da Jiang , Jojo Yan Yan Kwok , Dannii Yuen-lan Yeung , Namkee G. Choi , Lisa M. Warner , Kee Lee Chou
Background
Loneliness is a risk factor for mental but also physical health concerns in older adults. This study aimed to examine the temporal associations among social relationships, mindfulness, and physiological functioning and the potential mediating role of loneliness.
Methods
The present study recruited 141 older adults experiencing loneliness (Mage = 64.1 years, 76 % female) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong. Participants completed a questionnaire that assessed loneliness, social network, perceived social support, and mindfulness, and provided six saliva samples for cortisol and C-reactive protein (CRP) over two days at baseline (T0) and 6-month follow-up (T1). Path analysis was conducted to examine the associations of changes in psychosocial and physiological variables via change in loneliness.
Results
The participants showed small to moderate increases in perceived social support and mindfulness and small to moderate decreases in loneliness and pre-lunch cortisol. Greater improvements in social relationships were significantly associated with changes toward steeper diurnal cortisol slopes, indicating a healthier cortisol pattern. Greater improvements in mindfulness and social relationships were indirectly associated with greater reductions in CRP via a decrease in loneliness.
Conclusions
The present findings provided empirical support for temporal associations between social relationships, mindfulness, and physiological markers, with loneliness acting as a mediator, in older adults. The results suggest that interventions targeting loneliness, while promoting social engagement and mindfulness, could improve both psychosocial and physiological well-being in this population.
{"title":"The mediating role of loneliness between psychosocial and physiological well-being in older adults","authors":"Rainbow Tin Hung Ho , Temmy Lee Ting Lo , Ted Chun Tat Fong , Da Jiang , Jojo Yan Yan Kwok , Dannii Yuen-lan Yeung , Namkee G. Choi , Lisa M. Warner , Kee Lee Chou","doi":"10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107706","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107706","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Loneliness is a risk factor for mental but also physical health concerns in older adults. This study aimed to examine the temporal associations among social relationships, mindfulness, and physiological functioning and the potential mediating role of loneliness.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The present study recruited 141 older adults experiencing loneliness (M<sub>age</sub> = 64.1 years, 76 % female) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong. Participants completed a questionnaire that assessed loneliness, social network, perceived social support, and mindfulness, and provided six saliva samples for cortisol and C-reactive protein (CRP) over two days at baseline (T0) and 6-month follow-up (T1). Path analysis was conducted to examine the associations of changes in psychosocial and physiological variables via change in loneliness.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The participants showed small to moderate increases in perceived social support and mindfulness and small to moderate decreases in loneliness and pre-lunch cortisol. Greater improvements in social relationships were significantly associated with changes toward steeper diurnal cortisol slopes, indicating a healthier cortisol pattern. Greater improvements in mindfulness and social relationships were indirectly associated with greater reductions in CRP via a decrease in loneliness.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The present findings provided empirical support for temporal associations between social relationships, mindfulness, and physiological markers, with loneliness acting as a mediator, in older adults. The results suggest that interventions targeting loneliness, while promoting social engagement and mindfulness, could improve both psychosocial and physiological well-being in this population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20836,"journal":{"name":"Psychoneuroendocrinology","volume":"184 ","pages":"Article 107706"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145577723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-17DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107696
Lori S. Hoggard , Te-ojah J. Dennison-Morgan , Jordan Parker , Raphiel J. Murden , Zachary T. Martin , Jelaina Shipman-Lacewell , Christy L. Erving , Nicole D. Fields , Shivika Udaipuria , Reneé H. Moore , Viola Vaccarino , Arshed A. Quyyumi , Mindy L. Coccari , Tené T. Lewis
Background
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among women in the United States, with African American women facing markedly higher rates of CVD-related morbidity and mortality than women of other racial/ethnic backgrounds. African American women’s heightened risk for CVD has been linked to their disproportionate exposure to social stressors. In the present study, we examine how Superwoman Schema (SWS) is related to carotid intima media thickness (IMT) among African American women, as well as the moderating role of motherhood status.
Methods
Data are from the Mechanisms Underlying the Impact of Stress and Emotions (MUSE) on African American Women’s Health Study, a cohort of 422 African American women residing in the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. The women completed demographic questions (e.g., motherhood status) and psychosocial assessments, including the 35-item SWS scale. IMT scans were also performed during the visit.
Results
After adjustment for sociodemographic (e.g., age) and CVD risk (e.g., systolic blood pressure) factors, the results revealed that Resistance to Vulnerability was associated with lower IMT among non-mothers.
Conclusions
The results indicate that African American women’s culturally rooted tendency to embody strength, independence, self-reliance, ambition, and care for others may serve as a compensatory mechanism influencing CVD risk, with the associations varying by motherhood status.
{"title":"Superwoman schema, motherhood status, and subclinical atherosclerosis among African American women","authors":"Lori S. Hoggard , Te-ojah J. Dennison-Morgan , Jordan Parker , Raphiel J. Murden , Zachary T. Martin , Jelaina Shipman-Lacewell , Christy L. Erving , Nicole D. Fields , Shivika Udaipuria , Reneé H. Moore , Viola Vaccarino , Arshed A. Quyyumi , Mindy L. Coccari , Tené T. Lewis","doi":"10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107696","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107696","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among women in the United States, with African American women facing markedly higher rates of CVD-related morbidity and mortality than women of other racial/ethnic backgrounds. African American women’s heightened risk for CVD has been linked to their disproportionate exposure to social stressors. In the present study, we examine how Superwoman Schema (SWS) is related to carotid intima media thickness (IMT) among African American women, as well as the moderating role of motherhood status.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Data are from the Mechanisms Underlying the Impact of Stress and Emotions (MUSE) on African American Women’s Health Study, a cohort of 422 African American women residing in the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. The women completed demographic questions (e.g., motherhood status) and psychosocial assessments, including the 35-item SWS scale. IMT scans were also performed during the visit.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>After adjustment for sociodemographic (e.g., age) and CVD risk (e.g., systolic blood pressure) factors, the results revealed that Resistance to Vulnerability was associated with lower IMT among non-mothers.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The results indicate that African American women’s culturally rooted tendency to embody strength, independence, self-reliance, ambition, and care for others may serve as a compensatory mechanism influencing CVD risk, with the associations varying by motherhood status.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20836,"journal":{"name":"Psychoneuroendocrinology","volume":"184 ","pages":"Article 107696"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145678382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-15DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107692
Jelena Dukic , Alexandra Johann , Mirka Henninger , Ulrike Ehlert
Background
The maternal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis undergoes substantial physiological changes during pregnancy and postpartum, reflected in altered cortisol secretion patterns. However, research has shown considerable heterogeneity in cortisol patterns across the peripartum period and in part contradictory findings. Individual courses of cortisol secretion and their determinants remain poorly understood.
Methods
In a longitudinal cohort of 127 healthy pregnant women, we assessed salivary cortisol at five time points from late pregnancy (gestational weeks 34–36 and 40) to eight weeks postpartum. Group-based trajectory modeling was applied to three cortisol measures to identify distinct cortisol secretion patterns. Associations with sociodemographic and psychological covariates were explored.
Results
Across all cortisol indices, two distinct trajectory groups emerged. The majority of women (79–86 %) exhibited stable, relatively lower cortisol levels during late pregnancy and postpartum, while a smaller subgroup (14–21 %) exhibited a consistently elevated and more variable cortisol trajectory. Trajectory groups showed high classification stability (98–99 %), but no sociodemographic or psychological variables significantly predicted group membership.
Conclusions
Our findings reveal two distinct maternal cortisol trajectory subgroups across the peripartum period, reflecting heterogeneity in HPA axis regulation. The lack of significant associations with the measured covariates raises the possibility that unmeasured mechanisms, such as genetic or epigenetic influences, may contribute to these patterns. These distinct cortisol trajectories may reflect differing modes of neuroendocrine regulation, offering a potential explanation for inconsistencies in prior peripartum cortisol research.
{"title":"Heterogeneous cortisol patterns during the peripartum: Insights from a longitudinal trajectory analysis","authors":"Jelena Dukic , Alexandra Johann , Mirka Henninger , Ulrike Ehlert","doi":"10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107692","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107692","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The maternal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis undergoes substantial physiological changes during pregnancy and postpartum, reflected in altered cortisol secretion patterns. However, research has shown considerable heterogeneity in cortisol patterns across the peripartum period and in part contradictory findings. Individual courses of cortisol secretion and their determinants remain poorly understood.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In a longitudinal cohort of 127 healthy pregnant women, we assessed salivary cortisol at five time points from late pregnancy (gestational weeks 34–36 and 40) to eight weeks postpartum. Group-based trajectory modeling was applied to three cortisol measures to identify distinct cortisol secretion patterns. Associations with sociodemographic and psychological covariates were explored.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Across all cortisol indices, two distinct trajectory groups emerged. The majority of women (79–86 %) exhibited stable, relatively lower cortisol levels during late pregnancy and postpartum, while a smaller subgroup (14–21 %) exhibited a consistently elevated and more variable cortisol trajectory. Trajectory groups showed high classification stability (98–99 %), but no sociodemographic or psychological variables significantly predicted group membership.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our findings reveal two distinct maternal cortisol trajectory subgroups across the peripartum period, reflecting heterogeneity in HPA axis regulation. The lack of significant associations with the measured covariates raises the possibility that unmeasured mechanisms, such as genetic or epigenetic influences, may contribute to these patterns. These distinct cortisol trajectories may reflect differing modes of neuroendocrine regulation, offering a potential explanation for inconsistencies in prior peripartum cortisol research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20836,"journal":{"name":"Psychoneuroendocrinology","volume":"184 ","pages":"Article 107692"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145574159","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-14DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107687
Jiaxuan Liu , Andrew Ratanatharathorn , Anat Yaskolka Meir , Audrey R. Murchland , Yiwen Zhu , Andrea L. Roberts , Rebecca B. Lawn , Jennifer A. Sumner , Sebastien Haneuse , Liming Liang , Laura D. Kubzansky , Karestan C. Koenen , Lori B. Chibnik
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Posttraumatic stress disorder and epigenetic signatures of inflammation in middle-aged women” [Psychoneuroendocrinology 182 (2025) 107654]","authors":"Jiaxuan Liu , Andrew Ratanatharathorn , Anat Yaskolka Meir , Audrey R. Murchland , Yiwen Zhu , Andrea L. Roberts , Rebecca B. Lawn , Jennifer A. Sumner , Sebastien Haneuse , Liming Liang , Laura D. Kubzansky , Karestan C. Koenen , Lori B. Chibnik","doi":"10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107687","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107687","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20836,"journal":{"name":"Psychoneuroendocrinology","volume":"184 ","pages":"Article 107687"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145527972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study examined the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in improving psychological functioning and modulating immune markers in adults with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), a chronic autoimmune disorder increasingly linked to early trauma.
Method
In a randomized controlled trial, 91 adults with HT were assigned to EMDR plus treatment-as-usual (TAU), placebo plus TAU, or TAU alone. The EMDR protocol focused on processing ten distressing memories predating illness onset. Outcomes included anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) levels, and measures of depression, anxiety, stress, dissociation, alexithymia, trait anger, emotion regulation, and quality of life, assessed at baseline, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up.
Results
EMDR led to significant improvements in dissociation, alexithymia, depression, anxiety, stress, trait anger, and emotion regulation, along with enhanced quality of life. These effects were maintained at follow-up and generally exceeded those of placebo or TAU. A significant reduction in anti-TPO levels was also observed in the EMDR group, although between-group effects at follow-up did not remain significant after correction for multiple comparisons. No significant differences were found in anti-TG levels.
Conclusion
EMDR may offer a clinically relevant adjunctive intervention for individuals with HT, reducing psychological distress and potentially influencing immune activity. Findings on immunomodulation are preliminary and warrant further investigation in larger trials.
{"title":"Psychological and immunological benefits of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in hashimoto thyroiditis: Preliminary findings from a randomized controlled trial","authors":"Maria-Magdalena Macarenco , Cristian Opariuc-Dan , Teodora Georgescu , Livia Căciuloiu","doi":"10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107695","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107695","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study examined the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in improving psychological functioning and modulating immune markers in adults with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), a chronic autoimmune disorder increasingly linked to early trauma.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>In a randomized controlled trial, 91 adults with HT were assigned to EMDR plus treatment-as-usual (TAU), placebo plus TAU, or TAU alone. The EMDR protocol focused on processing ten distressing memories predating illness onset. Outcomes included anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) levels, and measures of depression, anxiety, stress, dissociation, alexithymia, trait anger, emotion regulation, and quality of life, assessed at baseline, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>EMDR led to significant improvements in dissociation, alexithymia, depression, anxiety, stress, trait anger, and emotion regulation, along with enhanced quality of life. These effects were maintained at follow-up and generally exceeded those of placebo or TAU. A significant reduction in anti-TPO levels was also observed in the EMDR group, although between-group effects at follow-up did not remain significant after correction for multiple comparisons. No significant differences were found in anti-TG levels.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>EMDR may offer a clinically relevant adjunctive intervention for individuals with HT, reducing psychological distress and potentially influencing immune activity. Findings on immunomodulation are preliminary and warrant further investigation in larger trials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20836,"journal":{"name":"Psychoneuroendocrinology","volume":"184 ","pages":"Article 107695"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145565268","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-13DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107686
Xiaoxiao Fan , Yi Wei , Tianzi Zang , Yiming Tu , Linxia Liu , Huan Tian , Xiaoxiao Li , Hairong Cheng , Jinbing Bai , Yanqun Liu
Objectives
The role of the gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in psychiatric disorders in pregnant women has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between the gut microbiota and its metabolite SCFAs and prenatal depression, pregnancy-related anxiety, and prenatal combined depression and anxiety.
Methods
In total 200 pregnant women in the third trimester were recruited for this study. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire Revised-2 were used to evaluate pregnant women’s anxiety and depression, and stool samples were collected for gut microbiome and SCFAs.
Results
This study found that reduced abundance of Allobaculum and Cetobacterium were associated with pregnancy-related anxiety in women. Furthermore, the enrichment of Anaerofustis, Gemella, and Staphylococcus and the reduction of Tyzzerella and unclassified_f_UCG-011 were associated with prenatal depression. This study was the first to indicate that women with comorbid prenatal anxiety and depression share similarities in gut microbiota and SCFAs with women with prenatal depression (Anaerofustis, Gemella, Staphylococcus, Tyzzerella, and isohexanoic acid). This study also found that certain gut microbial profiles were associated with prenatal comorbid anxiety and depression. While receiver operating characteristic analysis suggests a limited ability of the gut microbiota alone to predict prenatal psychological distress problems, the integration of phenotypic variables into the model significantly improved the model’s predictive ability.
Conclusion
Our findings suggested that dysbiosis of gut microbiota and SCFAs are associated with prenatal psychiatric disorders. Alterations of the gut microbiota may have the potential as biomarkers for distinguishing prenatal psychiatric disorders.
{"title":"Gut feelings: Dysbiosis of gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids associated with prenatal depression, pregnancy-related anxiety, and prenatal combined depression and anxiety","authors":"Xiaoxiao Fan , Yi Wei , Tianzi Zang , Yiming Tu , Linxia Liu , Huan Tian , Xiaoxiao Li , Hairong Cheng , Jinbing Bai , Yanqun Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107686","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107686","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>The role of the gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in psychiatric disorders in pregnant women has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between the gut microbiota and its metabolite SCFAs and prenatal depression, pregnancy-related anxiety, and prenatal combined depression and anxiety.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In total 200 pregnant women in the third trimester were recruited for this study. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire Revised-2 were used to evaluate pregnant women’s anxiety and depression, and stool samples were collected for gut microbiome and SCFAs.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>This study found that reduced abundance of <em>Allobaculum</em> and <em>Cetobacterium</em> were associated with pregnancy-related anxiety in women. Furthermore, the enrichment of <em>Anaerofustis</em>, <em>Gemella</em>, and <em>Staphylococcus</em> and the reduction of <em>Tyzzerella</em> and <em>unclassified_f_UCG-011</em> were associated with prenatal depression. This study was the first to indicate that women with comorbid prenatal anxiety and depression share similarities in gut microbiota and SCFAs with women with prenatal depression (<em>Anaerofustis</em>, <em>Gemella</em>, <em>Staphylococcus</em>, <em>Tyzzerella,</em> and isohexanoic acid). This study also found that certain gut microbial profiles were associated with prenatal comorbid anxiety and depression. While receiver operating characteristic analysis suggests a limited ability of the gut microbiota alone to predict prenatal psychological distress problems, the integration of phenotypic variables into the model significantly improved the model’s predictive ability.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our findings suggested that dysbiosis of gut microbiota and SCFAs are associated with prenatal psychiatric disorders. Alterations of the gut microbiota may have the potential as biomarkers for distinguishing prenatal psychiatric disorders.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20836,"journal":{"name":"Psychoneuroendocrinology","volume":"184 ","pages":"Article 107686"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145557398","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-13DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107693
Maitri Jain , Emily Sokol , Elizabeth Freehling , Sneha Kamath , Renée Lajiness-O'Neill , Angela D. Staples , Jamie M. Lawler
Importance
Although parent-child cortisol synchrony is essential for the development of children’s socio-emotional development, the research findings on what affects this synchrony are unclear. This lack of clarity makes it difficult to pinpoint the best areas to target when creating interventions to help improve synchrony between parents and their children.
Objective
We aimed to characterize the literature on parent-child cortisol synchrony and how various family-related risks and protective factors were associated with parent-child cortisol synchrony.
Evidence review
We searched 4 databases (CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science) on August 25th, 2025. Backward and forward citation searching was also conducted. Eligible articles a) were peer-reviewed articles/theses/dissertations published in the English language, b) assessed children between 6 months and 8 years for diurnal cortisol, and between 0 months and 8 years for cortisol reactivity, c) included majority of children free of neurological, genetic, or major psychiatric disorders and born full-term, d) included parents with a mean age above 18 years, where the majority were free of neurological or genetic disorders, e) collected at least 2 salivary cortisol samples from both parent and child, in either home or lab, f) for cortisol reactivity, collected at least one saliva sample each before and after a challenging task, g) collected 2 saliva samples on the same day for diurnal cortisol, and h) reported any statistical association between parent and child cortisol. We used the Quality Assessment with Diverse Studies Tool for quality analysis.
Findings
We identified 33 unique studies, including a total of 5206 participants. All studies were observational, with 7 longitudinal studies. The scarce literature suggested positive child-to-parent synchrony in families without risk factors, but synchrony was absent or reduced in families with risk factors. Protective factors (e.g., parental sensitivity) led to more adaptive synchrony in parent-child dyads.
Conclusions and relevance
While the existing research suggested that parent-child cortisol synchrony is affected by both family risk and protective factors, too few studies existed to draw strong conclusions. More research is essential to develop better interventions for improving parent-child synchrony.
重要性：虽然亲子皮质醇同步性对儿童社会情感发展至关重要，但影响亲子皮质醇同步性的因素研究结果尚不清楚。由于缺乏明确性，在制定干预措施以帮助改善父母与子女之间的同步时，很难确定最佳目标领域。目的：我们旨在描述亲子皮质醇同步的文献特征，以及各种家庭相关风险和保护因素如何与亲子皮质醇同步相关。我们于2025年8月25日检索了4个数据库（CINAHL、PsycINFO、PubMed和Web of Science）。并进行了前后引文检索。符合条件的文章a)以英语发表的同行评审的文章/论文/论文，b)评估6个月至8岁儿童的皮质醇日变化，以及0个月至8岁儿童的皮质醇反应性，c)包括大多数无神经、遗传或主要精神疾病且足月出生的儿童，d)包括平均年龄在18岁以上的父母，其中大多数无神经或遗传疾病。E)在家中或实验室从父母和孩子身上收集至少2个唾液皮质醇样本，f)皮质醇反应性，在具有挑战性的任务之前和之后分别收集至少一个唾液样本，g)在同一天收集2个唾液样本用于每日皮质醇，h)报告父母和孩子皮质醇之间的任何统计关联。我们使用多样化研究质量评估工具进行质量分析。研究结果：我们确定了33项独特的研究，包括5206名参与者。所有研究均为观察性研究，其中7项为纵向研究。很少的文献表明，在没有危险因素的家庭中，孩子与父母的同步性是积极的，但在有危险因素的家庭中，同步性是缺失的或降低的。保护因素（例如，父母敏感性）导致亲子二代更强的适应性同步。结论及相关性：虽然现有研究表明亲子皮质醇同步受家庭风险因素和保护因素的影响，但研究太少，无法得出强有力的结论。更多的研究是必要的，以制定更好的干预措施，以改善亲子同步。
{"title":"Parent-child salivary cortisol synchrony in early childhood: A systematic review","authors":"Maitri Jain , Emily Sokol , Elizabeth Freehling , Sneha Kamath , Renée Lajiness-O'Neill , Angela D. Staples , Jamie M. Lawler","doi":"10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107693","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107693","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Importance</h3><div>Although parent-child cortisol synchrony is essential for the development of children’s socio-emotional development, the research findings on what affects this synchrony are unclear. This lack of clarity makes it difficult to pinpoint the best areas to target when creating interventions to help improve synchrony between parents and their children.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>We aimed to characterize the literature on parent-child cortisol synchrony and how various family-related risks and protective factors were associated with parent-child cortisol synchrony.</div></div><div><h3>Evidence review</h3><div>We searched 4 databases (CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science) on August 25th, 2025. Backward and forward citation searching was also conducted. Eligible articles a) were peer-reviewed articles/theses/dissertations published in the English language, b) assessed children between 6 months and 8 years for diurnal cortisol, and between 0 months and 8 years for cortisol reactivity, c) included majority of children free of neurological, genetic, or major psychiatric disorders and born full-term, d) included parents with a mean age above 18 years, where the majority were free of neurological or genetic disorders, e) collected at least 2 salivary cortisol samples from both parent and child, in either home or lab, f) for cortisol reactivity, collected at least one saliva sample each before and after a challenging task, g) collected 2 saliva samples on the same day for diurnal cortisol, and h) reported any statistical association between parent and child cortisol. We used the Quality Assessment with Diverse Studies Tool for quality analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>We identified 33 unique studies, including a total of 5206 participants. All studies were observational, with 7 longitudinal studies. The scarce literature suggested positive child-to-parent synchrony in families without risk factors, but synchrony was absent or reduced in families with risk factors. Protective factors (e.g., parental sensitivity) led to more adaptive synchrony in parent-child dyads.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions and relevance</h3><div>While the existing research suggested that parent-child cortisol synchrony is affected by both family risk and protective factors, too few studies existed to draw strong conclusions. More research is essential to develop better interventions for improving parent-child synchrony.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20836,"journal":{"name":"Psychoneuroendocrinology","volume":"184 ","pages":"Article 107693"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145605522","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-13DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107694
Gabriel Zieff , Taylyn Jameson , Alison Nutini , Ashley M. Battaglini , Ellen Jopling , Bronwen Grocott , Katerina Rnic , Eli Puterman , Joelle LeMoult
Introduction
Self-compassion is an adaptive means of relating to oneself that encompasses elements of self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. Self-compassion has positive associations with health and may dampen biological and psychological stress responses, which would be particularly helpful for those with a history of early life adversity. The purpose of this study was to determine i) the association of trait self-compassion with cortisol and affective responses to an acute psychosocial stressor among early adolescents, and ii) whether this association differed by exposure to early life adversity (e.g., abuse, neglect).
Methods
Eighty-three early adolescents (M = 12.86 years; 47 % girls, 1 % non-binary) self-reported their trait self-compassion, completed a structured interview-based assessment to assess threat- and deprivation-related exposures to early life adversity, and underwent a psychosocial laboratory stressor (Trier Social Stress Test for Children; TSST-C). Salivary cortisol and self-reported positive and negative affect were measured at six timepoints before, during, and for 30 min following the stressor. We tested associations of self-compassion with trajectories (reactivity, recovery) and total levels (area under the curve with respect to ground; AUCg) of cortisol and positive and negative affect across the TSST-C, as well as moderating effects of early life adversity. Hierarchical linear models were used to test trajectories, and linear regression was used to test AUCg, with unstandardized (B) and standardized beta coefficients (β) reported, respectively.
Results
Self-compassion was not associated with total cortisol levels or trajectories of cortisol, positive affect, or negative affect (all p > 0.057). However, greater self-compassion was associated with higher sample 1 positive affect, B = 1.815, t(71) = 2.84, p = .006, and greater total positive affect levels, β = 0.411, t(62) = 3.90, p < .001. Similarly, self-compassion was associated with lower sample 1 negative affect, B = -1.261, t(72) = -2.35, p = 0.022, and less total negative affect levels, β = -0.269, t(75) = -2.45, p = 0.017. Additionally, sensitivity analyses indicated that at higher levels of early-life threat exposure, greater self-compassion was associated with higher sample 1 positive affect.
Conclusion
Among adolescents – including those exposed to threat-related forms of early life adversity– self-compassion may impart more general, diffuse beneficial effects on affect rather than buffering affective or cortisol responses to an acute stressor.
自我同情是一种与自己相关的适应性手段，包含了自我仁慈、共同人性和正念的元素。自我同情与健康有积极的联系，可能会抑制生理和心理上的压力反应，这对那些早年经历过逆境的人尤其有帮助。本研究的目的是确定i)特质自我同情与皮质醇和对早期青少年急性社会心理压力的情感反应的关联，以及ii)这种关联是否因早期生活逆境（如虐待，忽视）而不同。方法：83名早期青少年（M = 12.86岁；47 %女孩，1 %非二性别）自我报告了他们的自我同情特质，完成了基于结构化访谈的评估，以评估早期生活逆境中与威胁和剥夺相关的暴露，并进行了心理社会实验室压力源（Trier Social Stress Test for Children; TSST-C）。唾液皮质醇和自我报告的积极和消极影响在压力源之前，期间和30 min后的六个时间点进行测量。我们测试了自我同情与皮质醇的轨迹（反应性、恢复）、总水平（相对于地面的曲线下面积；AUCg）、积极和消极情绪在TSST-C中的关联，以及早期生活逆境的调节作用。采用层次线性模型检验轨迹，采用线性回归检验AUCg，分别报告了未标准化(B)和标准化β系数（β）。结果：自我同情与总皮质醇水平或皮质醇轨迹、积极影响、消极影响无关（p均为 > 0.057）。然而，更大的自我同情与更高的样本1积极情绪相关，B = 1.815,t（71） = 2.84,p = 。β = 0.411,t（62） = 3.90，p 结论：在青少年中，包括那些早期经历过威胁相关逆境的青少年，自我同情可能会对情感产生更普遍、更广泛的有益影响，而不是缓冲对急性压力源的情感或皮质醇反应。
{"title":"Self-compassion and stress responses among early adolescents","authors":"Gabriel Zieff , Taylyn Jameson , Alison Nutini , Ashley M. Battaglini , Ellen Jopling , Bronwen Grocott , Katerina Rnic , Eli Puterman , Joelle LeMoult","doi":"10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107694","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.psyneuen.2025.107694","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Self-compassion is an adaptive means of relating to oneself that encompasses elements of self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. Self-compassion has positive associations with health and may dampen biological and psychological stress responses, which would be particularly helpful for those with a history of early life adversity. The purpose of this study was to determine i) the association of trait self-compassion with cortisol and affective responses to an acute psychosocial stressor among early adolescents, and ii) whether this association differed by exposure to early life adversity (e.g., abuse, neglect).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Eighty-three early adolescents (<em>M</em> = 12.86 years; 47 % girls, 1 % non-binary) self-reported their trait self-compassion, completed a structured interview-based assessment to assess threat- and deprivation-related exposures to early life adversity, and underwent a psychosocial laboratory stressor (Trier Social Stress Test for Children; TSST-C). Salivary cortisol and self-reported positive and negative affect were measured at six timepoints before, during, and for 30 min following the stressor. We tested associations of self-compassion with trajectories (reactivity, recovery) and total levels (area under the curve with respect to ground; AUCg) of cortisol and positive and negative affect across the TSST-C, as well as moderating effects of early life adversity. Hierarchical linear models were used to test trajectories, and linear regression was used to test AUCg, with unstandardized (<em>B</em>) and standardized beta coefficients (<em>β)</em> reported, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Self-compassion was not associated with total cortisol levels or trajectories of cortisol, positive affect, or negative affect (all <em>p</em> > 0.057). However, greater self-compassion was associated with higher sample 1 positive affect, <em>B</em> = 1.815, <em>t</em>(71) = 2.84, <em>p</em> = .006, and greater total positive affect levels, <em>β</em> = 0.411, <em>t</em>(62) = 3.90, <em>p</em> < .001. Similarly, self-compassion was associated with lower sample 1 negative affect, <em>B</em> = -1.261, <em>t</em>(72) = -2.35, <em>p</em> = 0.022, and less total negative affect levels, <em>β</em> = -0.269, <em>t</em>(75) = -2<em>.</em>45, <em>p</em> = 0.017. Additionally, sensitivity analyses indicated that at higher levels of early-life threat exposure, greater self-compassion was associated with higher sample 1 positive affect.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Among adolescents – including those exposed to threat-related forms of early life adversity– self-compassion may impart more general, diffuse beneficial effects on affect rather than buffering affective or cortisol responses to an acute stressor.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20836,"journal":{"name":"Psychoneuroendocrinology","volume":"184 ","pages":"Article 107694"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145565210","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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