Age-related breakdown of blood-brain barrier activates astrocytic TGFβ signaling to cause neural dysfunction and cognitive impairment.

Transient EEG slowing events are shared by patients and models of Alzheimer’s and epilepsy and are associated with blood-brain barrier dysfunction.

Background: The outbreak of war in Israel on 7 October and the unique events of that day have presented unprecedented challenges to first responders (FRs), who are professionally trained to engage in providing assistance in such circumstances. Moreover, while research demonstrates the long-term psychological consequences of FRs, little is known regarding how FR's engagement in providing assistance relates to stress and resilience levels as events continue to unfold.Objective: The current study examined the relationship between traumatic stress symptoms (TSS) and resilience levels among FRs and controls during the first weeks of the Iron Swords war, while focusing on the moderating role of active engagement in providing assistance.Method: Data were collected during the first month of the Iron Swords war from 374 participants living in Southern Israel, of whom 77 (20.6%) were FRs. All participants filled out scales assessing TSS and resilience and provided relevant background information.Results: High TSS levels were associated with reduced resilience in FRs and non-FRs. Moreover, both the study group and active engagement were significant moderators for the TSS-resilience link, which was insignificant among FRs who provided assistance and for civilians who did not provide assistance. However, the TSS-resilience association remained significant for FRs who did not engage in providing assistance and for civilians who did.Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of examining the extent to which FRs act in line with their duties during times of adverse stress. Clinical interventions aimed towards FRs who did not engage in providing assistance are needed and should focus on the extent to which their moral values, beliefs and expectations are met, as these appear critical parameters in preserving resilience.

Due to its anti-glucocorticoid properties, the steroid hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) might play a role for coping with traumatic stress and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The majority of studies report elevated DHEA secretion and decreased cortisol/DHEA ratio associated with traumatic stress, however, contrasting results have also been published. One reason for this heterogeneity might be that in past studies, DHEA has been measured in plasma or saliva samples reflecting acute hormone levels. In comparison, the current study assessed the hair levels of DHEA and cortisol as long-term markers along with self-reported data on psychopathology and coping in 92 female adolescents aged 11–16 from the West Bank affected by the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Results showed that trauma-exposed individuals had significantly higher DHEA levels (p = 0.013) and lower cortisol/DHEA ratios (p = 0.036) than participants from the non-trauma group. Furthermore, DHEA and cortisol/DHEA ratio emerged as associated with trauma load and timing, but not with coping. By applying the novel method of DHEA analysis from hair samples, this study adds to the growing literature on the interplay of DHEA, cortisol, traumatic stress and coping, and provides valuable starting points for further research.