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Smart pills

Smart pills can be a product of the food, lifestyle, emotions, environment, dietary supplements and other unknown factors to prolong aging and quality of life.

I believed that health starts with the diet and lifestyle of the mother 3 months before you are concieved.

Email motherhealth@gmail.com for a personalized healthy regimen with consideration on where and how you live, dietary supplements, foods and current health issues.

I always ask if you mother breastfed you and if you are a military veteran. Your stress level and if there if filtered water in your house. Sunshine exposure and other factors I consider important in your overall health.

Virus from molds, fungus and other environmental stressors can be the root cause of many health issues. Stress and lack of exercise or sunshine can help inflammation to spread.

Inadequate sleep and diet lacking in Vitamin C , B and D can also impair the body’s ability to heal.

We train caregivers in the bay area to consider all these factors when caring for our senior population. We incorporate massage, music, exercise, gourmet cooking and a caring companion to lessen anxiety and ease the pain of older adults with health issues needed 24/7 care at home.

Connie

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Health IT News

Headlines

Rideshare-Based Transportation Services And Missed Primary Care Appointments
Tweet | JAMA

GE’s Jeff Immelt To Chair Athenahealth
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UK Wait Times For Young Mental Health Patients Down From A Year To Six Weeks
Tweet | HeraldScotland

Spending Bill Signed Into Law: Here Are Health IT’s Biggest Wins
Tweet | Healthcare IT News

The Diseases We Aren’t Curing And Why
Tweet | Fortune

Watch: Japan Faces Superaging Population With Robots And Virtual Reality
Tweet | STAT

Oscar Health Is Having A Huge Growth Year
Tweet | Modern Healthcare

With Startup, George Church Bets Cryptocurrency Will Boost DNA Sequencing
Tweet | STAT

Rock Health in the News

Study: Virta’s Monitoring App Plus Low-Carb Diet Reverses Diabetes Progression
Tweet | MobiHealthNews

Wyoming Introduces mHealth App For Public, Population Health (Wildflower Health)
Tweet | mhealthintelligence

Estate plan and the new tax law

Estate plan and the new tax law

An estate plan is like a car or a house: It needs regular maintenance to function as intended. Yet unlike your car or home, external events can create the need for adjustments. Among such events is legislation like the tax bill Congress passed in late December.

So this is an important time to schedule a meeting with your estate planner and be certain your plan is up-to-date. Even if your estate plan won’t be affected by the new tax law, it’s smart to confer with your estate planner periodically to be certain your current wishes are reflected in your estate planning documents.

During this checkup, you may find that your plan no longer meets all of your needs because of changes in your life and the lives of your heirs. Or you may find that your plan didn’t cover your needs from the get-go. In my experience, many clients leave their estate planner’s office with a thick folder of documents and fail to read them carefully or discuss them in detail with their planner before signing.

When you meet with a professional for a thorough evaluation and possible updating, you might ask these key questions to assure your plan documents fully support your interests and those of your heirs.

1. Will the new federal law affect my estate tax picture?

Estate tax is the tax that estates pay governments upon death; when it applies, there’s less left for your heirs. The federal government exempts a certain amount of an estate’s value from this tax and Congress just doubled that amount, known as the exemption. The new law eliminated tax on estates for many wealthy families.

There will no longer be any federal tax on estates valued between $5.6 million and $11.2 million. Previously, the limit was $5.6 million. By exempting estates between $5.6 million and $11.2 million ($22.4 million for married couples), Congress gave substantial relief to all but the wealthiest families, since only about 5,000 estates a year are estimated to be above the new limit. So unless you’re rich (but not ultrarich), the doubling of the exemption shouldn’t affect your estate plan.

2. What does the new tax law mean by the exemption limit for married couples?

This can be confusing, since couples generally die one spouse at a time. The exemption limit for couples refers to portability — the ability of a spouse to avoid estate tax on amounts inherited from the other spouse that were within the exemption limits. The new law preserves portability, which was introduced in a revision of tax rules by Congress in 2012.

Related: The Trump tax calculator — will you pay more or less?

To assure that exemption limits from the estate of a deceased spouse are portable, estate planning documents of the surviving spouse must correctly invoke portability, using the right language. Otherwise, the estates of these spouses might be forced to create something known as a bypass trust — a costly, time-consuming route that can have the effect of reducing the amounts that heirs ultimately receive.

3. Will the new federal law affect my state estate tax?

There are 15 states that still have some form of estate tax: Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Washington, Oregon, Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Also read: The problems with doing your own estate planning

Some of these states yoke their exemption limits to the federal limits, so the federal increase will automatically trigger the same increase in those states. But some of these states have no such linkage, so their exemption limits will remain the same, assuming their legislatures don’t act to change them. (Some states have limits under $1 million.)

Detailed, state-by-state information on estate tax can be found on the Tax Foundation website.

4. Are my estate documents customized to fulfill my wishes and avoid unintended consequences?

Outcomes directly contrary to your intentions can result when documents aren’t specific enough because boilerplate, off-the-shelf documents were used without being customized to your situation. It’s not uncommon for this to happen with financial powers of attorney (POA), which direct how your finances are to be managed if you’re incapacitated and unable to make decisions.

Without specific provisions to assure your wishes are carried out, vague or overly general POAs — which don’t include specific provisions of wishes, limits and prohibitions — might allow the agent managing these finances (often, the person’s spouse) to:

  • Legally make gifts to whomever they wish and change beneficiaries on financial accounts — 401(k)s, IRAs, life insurance policies and annuities. In some cases, agent spouses have made gifts to themselves or their grown children from their first marriages or have designated these grown children as account beneficiaries without express permission.
  • Discontinue existing financial support for an aging parent or a disabled child
  • Manage the incapacitated individual’s assets in ways that person never would, such as taking risks that jeopardize the inheritance of heirs listed in the incapacitated person’s will

To prevent such negative outcomes, ask your estate planner to assure that your POA is specific enough.

Don’t miss: How to provide for your pet in your estate plan

5. How soon should I come in for another review of my estate plan?

Many experts advise doing a review every three years, and/or after major life changes, including: your divorce or the divorce of a grown child; the birth of a grandchild; your receipt of a significant inheritance; the sale of your business; your retirement; newly developed disabilities or chronic illnesses or a death in your family.

An estate plan should change with changing circumstances. By attending to this, you can show your loved ones that you cared about outcomes affecting them after you’re gone.

David Robinson is a Certified Financial Planner and founder/CEO of RTS Private Wealth Management in Phoenix.

This article is reprinted by permission from NextAvenue.org, © 2018 Twin Cities Public Television, Inc. All rights reserved.

Start dating, stop swiping and texting

There is meetup.com and www.thetonightapp.com (in iphones only) to find a date and suggested place to date.

Action speaks louder than words. Men who choose to text only and not meet have a disadvantage.

So meet your date in person. And get an idea of who the person is. Ask the three most important questions dear to your heart and if the answers are satisfactory based on your standards, you found the person you want to spend some time with.

Dress to impress, choose a relaxing and romantic environment. In a coffee or tea restaurant, know that chocolate can be an aphrodisiac to both sexes.

Two-way
A good conversation is where both parties get a chance to talk and to listen. Men should be aware that women expect them to take turns in the conversation, and for every question he answers, he should ask one of her.

Tone
Keep the conversation light and positive. This is not the time to complain about your job, criticize the food or grumble about traffic. Sharing problems this early can feel like complaining or neediness to the other person. The first date is your opportunity to express your best self to the other person and negativity can be a real turn-off.

Topics
Discussing very personal issues can easily scare off a prospective relationship. These include your political beliefs, your medical history and especially your past relationships. This also means you shouldn’t ask your date about these topics. Keep it light and discuss your favorite movies, music, places you have been and things you like to do

Email motherhealth@gmail.com for any suggestions on how to succeed on your first date. Success means getting a second date.

Connie

Hospital aroma and smell of Rosemary can aid children’s working memory

Do you like the smell of the hospital?

If you are recovering from your illness, it is best to stay at home in the company of a caring caregiver.

The brain is influenced by the smell of our environment. Some carbon monoxide poisoning and other toxic chemicals affect our brain. Some essential oils can influence our brain. Can you heal your cells from the aroma of various plants and oils?

I use lavender essential oils to our senior clients to calm them during the massage. I cooked cinnamon, vanilla and rosemary in many dishes to increase appetite.

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Image shows a fat mouse and a thin mouse.

CAN THE SMELL OF FOOD MAKE YOU FAT?

NEUROSCIENCE NEWS
According to a new study, your sense of smell could be responsible for weight gain. Using mice, researchers noticed that those who lost their sense of smell also lost weight, while those mice with a super sense of smell gained more weight on a high fat diet than mice with a regular sense of smell. Findings suggest odor may play an important role in calorie burning processes; if you can’t smell your food, you may burn it rather than store it.… READ MORE…
FEATUREDNEUROSCIENCEOPEN NEUROSCIENCE ARTICLESPSYCHOLOGY9 MIN READ

Basic ROI Calculation

Basic ROI Calculation

A review of the basic ROI calculation and its use within IT project proposals
ROI (return on investment) is a widely used measure to compare the effectiveness of IT systems investments. It is commonly used to justify IT projects, but can measure project returns at any stage.

Definition of ROI

The basic ROI calculation is to divide the net return from an investment, by the cost of the investment and express this as a percentage. ROI, whilst a simple and extremely popular metric, it may be easily modified for different situations.

The ROI formula is:

ROI % = (Return – Cost of Investment) divided by the Cost of Investment x 100

Additional definitions:

  • The basic roi calculation is also known as: ROR (rate of return), Rate of profit.
  • The return is also known as: money gained or lost on an investment, profit or loss, gain or loss, net income or loss.
  • The cost of investment is also known as: investment, capital, principal, costs.
  • Using ROI within IT projects

Comparing the ROI of different projects / proposals provides an indication as to which IT projects to undertake. ROI proves to corporate executives / shareholders / other stakeholders that a particular project investment is beneficial for the business.

A project is more likely to proceed if its ROI is higher – the higher the better. For example, a 200% ROI over 4 years indicates a return of double the project investment, over a 4 year period.

Financially, it makes sense to choose projects with the highest ROI first, then those with lower ROI’s. Whilst there are exceptions, if a project has a negative ROI, it is questionable if it should be authorised to proceed.
Issues with using basic ROI calculations

ROI calculations can be manipulated if you are not careful.

Project savings / income and expenditures should be measurable and realistic. But sometimes they are not always easily measurable and their realism is questionable.

Project benefits may be attributable to more than one improvement – so care needs to be taken to ensure no double counting.

It is not always possible when forecasting costs and benefits, to obtain a high degree of certainty with the project costs and benefits.

Tangible benefits

IT system projects ROI should be based on tangible (or hard) benefits. Examples of tangible IT benefits (project savings / income) include:

  • travel reduction eg online meetings replacing face-to-face meetings, remote support replacing onsite support
  • time saved eg increased productivity and reduction in time to complete tasks
  • time saved eg from reduced length / number of customer service calls
  • time saved from reduced numbers of errors
  • time saved from improved system reliability and having less maintenance or fewer problems to resolve
  • time saved with improved software vendor support eg quicker responses, faster fixes

Intangible benefits

Intangible (or soft or non-financial) benefits should not be included within ROI calculations. Whilst they are often as important as tangible benefits, they are very difficult to financially quantify. Instead intangible benefits should be fully explained within the business case and where possible details given of any quantification or measurement. Examples of intangible IT benefits include:

  • increased customer satisfaction
  • ability to offer improved customer service and support
  • increased usability leading to increased sales
  • increased user satisfaction
  • improved / automated business processes that the new system supports and enables
  • faster and more accurate information
  • improved analytical solutions
  • better forecasting
  • better controls to improve data input accuracy
  • improved software vendor support and service, improved communications, better knowledge of software, system set up

Calculation criteria

The total time scale for calculating ROI for IT projects may vary. Three years is common for hardware projects, as technology is often obsolete after 3 years. However, 5 or more years may be used for a new software system. For example, a new HR system is unlikely to be completely replaced within this time scale, though likely to be kept up to date with regular maintenance. Consider calculating ROI with either quarterly or yearly timelines.

Consistency: The ROI calculations should be consistently applied across all IT system projects. Consistency also applies to the assumptions behind the ROI calculations eg treatment of inflation, taxation (corporate and VAT/sales taxes).

Over-precision versus overly rounded figures. Details shown to the last $ leads users to believe in a spurious accuracy, when $’000 would be more appropriate. Equally, every figure being rounded with two or more zeros, leads users to believe that calculations are fairly inaccurate. A balance has to be struck, combined with the need to be as certain and accurate as possible.

Ways to improve the project ROI include:

  • increase project benefits / cost savings – easier to quantify, but costs can only be reduced so much
  • increase project benefits / revenues – harder, if not impossible to quantify – but can be much larger
  • decrease project costs – easy to quantify, but potentially limited
  • timing – deferring project costs or bringing project benefits forward

Whatever changes are made, they have to be realistic and measurable.

Situations when a ROI calculation may not be useful

ROI may not be useful in every IT project situation eg:

  • expenditure such as IT consumables, replacing broken PC’s
  • projects that do not produce cost savings / income – as any ROI will be zero or negative
  • projects which only have intangible benefits and no measurable financial benefits

Other ROI calculations 

Other calculations that are typically produced at the same time as calculating ROI are:

NPV (net present value) ie the return a project will make at a specified discount rate. Ideally this should be a high / positive value.

IRR (internal rate of return) ie the yearly return % of the investment – the higher, the better.

Payback years (also known as break even point) ie the number of years it takes to get the investment back. The shorter the payback, the better.

Today, no project has an automatic right to approval and a budget. Decisions to invest in IT systems projects have to compete with all other business areas and their needs / proposals. But achieving a good ROI and high NPV / IRR with a quick payback, will put IT systems proposals to the top of any choice.

Visit return on investment calculator to download a free ROI calculator for your IT system projects.

http://www.axia-consulting.co.uk/html/basic_roi_calculation.html
ROI (return on investment) is a widely used measure to compare the effectiveness of IT systems investments. It is commonly used to justify IT projects, but can measure project returns at any stage.

Definition of ROI

The basic ROI calculation is to divide the net return from an investment, by the cost of the investment and express this as a percentage. ROI, whilst a simple and extremely popular metric, it may be easily modified for different situations.

The ROI formula is:

ROI % = (Return – Cost of Investment) divided by the Cost of Investment x 100

Additional definitions:

  • The basic roi calculation is also known as: ROR (rate of return), Rate of profit.
  • The return is also known as: money gained or lost on an investment, profit or loss, gain or loss, net income or loss.
  • The cost of investment is also known as: investment, capital, principal, costs.

Using ROI within IT projects

Comparing the ROI of different projects / proposals provides an indication as to which IT projects to undertake. ROI proves to corporate executives / shareholders / other stakeholders that a particular project investment is beneficial for the business.

A project is more likely to proceed if its ROI is higher – the higher the better. For example, a 200% ROI over 4 years indicates a return of double the project investment, over a 4 year period.

Financially, it makes sense to choose projects with the highest ROI first, then those with lower ROI’s. Whilst there are exceptions, if a project has a negative ROI, it is questionable if it should be authorised to proceed.

Issues with using basic ROI calculations

ROI calculations can be manipulated if you are not careful.

Project savings / income and expenditures should be measurable and realistic. But sometimes they are not always easily measurable and their realism is questionable.

Project benefits may be attributable to more than one improvement – so care needs to be taken to ensure no double counting.

It is not always possible when forecasting costs and benefits, to obtain a high degree of certainty with the project costs and benefits.

Tangible benefits

IT system projects ROI should be based on tangible (or hard) benefits. Examples of tangible IT benefits (project savings / income) include:

  • travel reduction eg online meetings replacing face-to-face meetings, remote support replacing onsite support
  • time saved eg increased productivity and reduction in time to complete tasks
  • time saved eg from reduced length / number of customer service calls
  • time saved from reduced numbers of errors
  • time saved from improved system reliability and having less maintenance or fewer problems to resolve
  • time saved with improved software vendor support eg quicker responses, faster fixes

Intangible benefits

Intangible (or soft or non-financial) benefits should not be included within ROI calculations. Whilst they are often as important as tangible benefits, they are very difficult to financially quantify. Instead intangible benefits should be fully explained within the business case and where possible details given of any quantification or measurement. Examples of intangible IT benefits include:

  • increased customer satisfaction
  • ability to offer improved customer service and support
  • increased usability leading to increased sales
  • increased user satisfaction
  • improved / automated business processes that the new system supports and enables
  • faster and more accurate information
  • improved analytical solutions
  • better forecasting
  • better controls to improve data input accuracy
  • improved software vendor support and service, improved communications, better knowledge of software, system set up

Calculation criteria

The total time scale for calculating ROI for IT projects may vary. Three years is common for hardware projects, as technology is often obsolete after 3 years. However, 5 or more years may be used for a new software system. For example, a new HR system is unlikely to be completely replaced within this time scale, though likely to be kept up to date with regular maintenance. Consider calculating ROI with either quarterly or yearly timelines.

Consistency: The ROI calculations should be consistently applied across all IT system projects. Consistency also applies to the assumptions behind the ROI calculations eg treatment of inflation, taxation (corporate and VAT/sales taxes).

Over-precision versus overly rounded figures. Details shown to the last $ leads users to believe in a spurious accuracy, when $’000 would be more appropriate. Equally, every figure being rounded with two or more zeros, leads users to believe that calculations are fairly inaccurate. A balance has to be struck, combined with the need to be as certain and accurate as possible.

Ways to improve the project ROI include:

  • increase project benefits / cost savings – easier to quantify, but costs can only be reduced so much
  • increase project benefits / revenues – harder, if not impossible to quantify – but can be much larger
  • decrease project costs – easy to quantify, but potentially limited
  • timing – deferring project costs or bringing project benefits forward

Whatever changes are made, they have to be realistic and measurable.

Situations when a ROI calculation may not be useful

ROI may not be useful in every IT project situation eg:

  • expenditure such as IT consumables, replacing broken PC’s
  • projects that do not produce cost savings / income – as any ROI will be zero or negative
  • projects which only have intangible benefits and no measurable financial benefits

Other ROI calculations 

Other calculations that are typically produced at the same time as calculating ROI are:

NPV (net present value) ie the return a project will make at a specified discount rate. Ideally this should be a high / positive value.

IRR (internal rate of return) ie the yearly return % of the investment – the higher, the better.

Payback years (also known as break even point) ie the number of years it takes to get the investment back. The shorter the payback, the better.

Today, no project has an automatic right to approval and a budget. Decisions to invest in IT systems projects have to compete with all other business areas and their needs / proposals. But achieving a good ROI and high NPV / IRR with a quick payback, will put IT systems proposals to the top of any choice.

Visit return on investment calculator to download a free ROI calculator for your IT system projects.

Google cloud seminar Feb 13 Santa Clara Convention Center

Cloud OnBoard
cloud
Start_Training {
Few Seats Remaining: You are invited to
Cloud OnBoard
Santa Clara
}
Hi,

Google Cloud Onboard is coming to your area next week. Make sure to secure your spot where you will receive an in-depth technical introduction to Google Cloud Platform (GCP). The training has been designed to help you understand and get started with cloud services such as Big Data and Machine Learning, Google App Engine, CloudDatastore, GCP Storage, Google Container Engine and Google Compute Engine and Networking.

This free, full-day event will be delivered by our leading technical training instructors using presentations and technical demonstrations. You will be provided with industry best practices and tips to accelerate your learning and ability to build with Google Cloud Platform.

Cloud OnBoard Santa Clara
February 13, 2018
9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Santa Clara Convention Center
5001 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054Since space is limited, we encourage you to reserve your spot early.

The Google Cloud Platform Team

Music and relaxing place help in healing

C.A.R.E. Channel provides relaxing imagery, music

a waterfall, as a part of the C.A.R.E. Channel imagery
The C.A.R.E. Channel provides a healing environment to patients and their care providers. Images can be seen on hospital TVs or downloaded from www.healinghealth.com.

Being a world class research hospital means continuously enhancing our world class environment of care. That now extends to offering specially designed, relaxing television programming called The C.A.R.E. Channel.

The channel’s name is an acronym for “Continuous Ambient Relaxation Environment.” View it for free on channel 08 anyplace the Clinical Center cable system is operable.

Running 24/7, it features nature imagery during the daytime and transitions to a moving star-filled sky during the overnight, accompanied by original instrumental music designed to be soothing and relaxing.

“When a project involves improving our patients’ experience, it’s never a hard sell to get Clinical Center staff excited to team up and make it happen,” said John Pollack, chief of the Department of Spiritual Care.

The C.A.R.E. Channel is brought to the Clinical Center through a collaboration between the Departments of Spiritual Care and Nursing. The programming runs 84 hours before repeating itself, fitting for extended stays common to the Clinical Center.

The channel is a tool that for some patients may help reduce anxiety, assist with restfulness and offer a positive focal point when in discomfort.

The relaxing images may help calm nerves in clinics and waiting rooms. Outpatients and caregivers may wish to tune in as they wind down in the Safra Lodge from a hectic appointment slate. Or inpatients may find it a welcome alternative if they don’t wish to or are unable to follow news and plot-driven shows. The possibilities are many — whether to add serenity or just drown out hospital noise.

Questions about the Clinical Center’s broadcasting of the C.A.R.E. Channel? Email John Pollack at john.pollack@nih.gov.

 

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We helped heal a senior in pain from kidney stones at 93 yrs of age

She was taking 2 kinds of anti-hypertensive medication, aspirin and antibiotic. She was constipated and in pain. Twelve years ago, she had a hip replacement. After our care , she is only on one anti-hypertensive med.

We massaged her back, legs and feet every night with oil of eucalyptus, lemon grass and apricot oil. In her water, we added lemon. For constipation, we have fruit juice of prunes, carrot, pomengranate, half a tsp of apple cider vinegar and pinch of baking soda. We warm it and added a little brown sugar.

We cooked her fish, tomatoes and other foods she is used to eat. In her house, there is no filtered water and it is dusty since it is 60 years old.

She was a gymnast and a dancer and loves music. She now spends a few minutes in the sun during the noon and afternoon hours for her walk using her walker.

She needs a companion, so when our one month contract expired, her daughter got her a companion with free room and a small allowance.

We hugged and kissed goodbye. Now she is pain free.

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Personalized immune treatment to rid the body of the HPV virus that causes HSIL

To learn more about the study below, or other studies, please call us at 1-866-444-1132.

Vulvar High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (HSIL)

Researchers with the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland are recruiting women with Vulvar High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (HSIL) for a first-of-its-kind treatment study. This study is being done to determine if a personalized immune treatment can rid the body of the HPV virus that causes HSIL, and thereby curing vulvar HSIL. We hope this treatment will prevent the need for surgery that can be disfiguring and/or cause impairment.

About the study:

  • The immune treatment is called T cell therapy.
  • Immune cells from your own blood will be genetically modified in the laboratory and then given back to you through an IV infusion.
  • After the infusion, you will receive up to two doses of aldesleukin to help the immune cells to survive longer.
  • Your recovery in our hospital may take 1-3 days until you are well enough to go home.
  • You will have frequent monthly visits to the hospital to follow your progress

There is no cost to you for study-related procedures, tests, or medications. Travel may be reimbursed.

Location: NIH Clinical Center, America’s Research Hospital is located on the Metro red line (Medical Center stop) in Bethesda, Maryland.

For more information:
NIH Clinical Center
Office of Patient Recruitment
1- 866-444-1132
TTY: 1-866-411-1010
https://go.usa.gov/xnbdQ
NIH study 17-C-0116

PTSD – over processing of brain to outside stimuli

Scientists find potential neurobiological marker to help recognize PTSD patients

November 30, 2017

Scientists at the Universities of Birmingham and Amsterdam hope to have found a new neurobiological marker to help recognize patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Using an electroencephalogram (EEG) – a test that detects electrical activity in a person’s brain via electrodes attached to their scalp – researchers studied the brain activity of a group of thirteen patients with PTSD.  The group was then compared to a group who had suffered a similar trauma but had not gone on to develop PDST.

PTSD is estimated to affect about one in every ten people who have a traumatic experience.  It can develop immediately after someone experiences a disturbing event or it can occur weeks, months or even years later and can affect a person’s memory.

The type of events that can cause PTSD include serious road accidents, violent personal assaults, witnessing violent deaths, military combat, being held hostage, terrorist attacks and natural disasters.

Dr Ali Mazaheri, of the University of Birmingham’s School of Psychology and Centre for Human Brain Health, said of the study published today in Nature Scientific Reports: “We know that a symptom of PTSD can be heightened sensory sensitivity.

“In this study, we tested the brain’s response to a simple auditory sensory change by playing simple (standard 1000Hz) tones every second, and then intermittently playing a slightly altered tone (1200 Hz), known as a deviant.

“What we found was that patients who had developed PTSD showed enhanced brain responses to deviant tones, suggesting their brain over-processed any change in the environment.

“Importantly we found the more enhanced their response was, the more poorly they performed on cognitive tests looking at memory.”

Katrin Bangel, of the University of Amsterdam, said: “This is the first research study of its kind. The neurobiological evidence we now have shows how altered brain activity of a patient with PTSD is closely related to the way it processes the world.

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“What’s more, this study is very unique in that it compared PTSD patients with a control group of those that also suffered similar trauma but didn’t develop PTSD, rather than a control group who had no trauma or PTSD – this really allows us to look at what triggers PTSD following significant trauma.

“We now potentially have a new neurobiological marker for PTSD patients that maps to their own individual symptoms.

“This marker, if validated, could be used to assess if an individual is getting better with treatment.   It can also be potentially used in diagnosing patients.”

Professor Dr Miranda Olff, of the University of Amsterdam and Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group, said: “This area of research is incredibly important.

“Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events.

“Someone with PTSD often relives the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks, and may experience feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt.

“They may also have problems sleeping, such as insomnia, and find concentrating difficult.

“These symptoms are often severe and persistent enough to have a significant impact on the person’s day-to-day life.

“Therefore it is vital that we find new ways to treat the condition and also assess treatment outcomes.”

The team has now begun further research validating the marker and also plans a clinical trial to test potential treatments on patients with PTSD.

Source:

https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2017/11/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-research.aspx

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