Interesting Recent Mental Health Research Articles

Three interesting research articles published this month. The first focuses depression, early life stress, and the role of serotonin-associated genes. The second analyzes an emotion regulation-mental health framework for the prevention of suicide among victims of sexual violence. The third is a study on how a migraine treatment can affect mental health and quality of life.

Genetic and Epigenetic Consequence of Early-Life Social Stress on Depression: Role of Serotonin-Associated Genes

Soga T, Teo CH, Parhar I. Genetic and Epigenetic Consequence of Early-Life Social Stress on Depression: Role of Serotonin-Associated Genes. Front Genet. 2021 Jan 22;11:601868. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2020.601868. PMID: 33584798; PMCID: PMC7874148.

Overview: “Here, we review the evidence for early-life social stress-induced epigenetic changes that modulate juvenile and adult social behavior (depression and anxiety). This review has a particular emphasis on the interaction between early-life social stress and genetic variation of serotonin associate genes including the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTT; also known as SLC6A4), which are key molecules involved in depression.”

Sexual violence victimization and suicide: Testing a coping-mental health framework

Kaniuka AR, Desmarais SL, Cramer RJ, Stoner JE, Veri S, Wright S, Gemberling TM, Nobles MR, Holley SR. Sexual violence victimization and suicide: Testing a coping-mental health framework. Aggress Behav. 2021 Feb 15. doi: 10.1002/ab.21955. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33586166.

Overview:

• “Sexual violence victimization is a prevalent public health concern. However, little research has investigated the factors linking sexual violence victimization to suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs). The current study tested the applicability of the psychological mediation framework, a coping-mental health model, for the prevention of STBs among victims of sexual violence.”
• “Findings support an emotion regulation-mental health framework for the prevention of suicide among victims of sexual violence.”

Onabotulinumtoxin A Improves Psychological Aspects in Chronic Migraine Patients

Al-Hashel JY, Kh Ashkanani H, Almutairi O, Bokubar FA, Mubarak S, Alwazzan S, Alroughani R, Youssry D, Farouk Ahmed S. Onabotulinumtoxin A Improves Psychological Aspects in Chronic Migraine Patients. Front Neurol. 2021 Jan 27;11:633355. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2020.633355. PMID: 33584525; PMCID: PMC7873558.

Overview:

• “Chronic migraine (CM) affects 5.4% of the Kuwaiti population. It is associated with significant headache-related disability, psychiatric comorbidity and reduced quality of life. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of Onabotulinumtoxin A on psychological aspects of chronic migraine patients.”
• “Prophylactic Onabotulinumtoxin A treatment for CM was associated with significant improvement of quality of life, reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as improved symptoms of poor sleep.”

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