Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a developing modality with broad impact on humans suffering with a variety of emotional and relationship difficulties that encompass many diagnostic entities. Our application of KAP has extended to and included the treatment of adolescents and young adults in a family therapy format. Given the increasing scope and complexity of the adolescent mental health crisis and the frequent failures to respond to conventional treatment, the promise of KAP deserves thorough investigation.

Depressive symptoms are frequently comorbid with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet it remains unclear whether depressive symptom severity before the start of treatment affects the results of trauma-focused psychotherapy. We hypothesized that baseline depressive symptom severity might reduce overall PTSD symptom improvement and could differentially affect treatment response to imagery rescripting (ImRs) versus eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). This secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial included 150 adults with childhood trauma-related PTSD. Participants received 12 sessions of EMDR or ImRs. Baseline depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and PTSD severity was assessed using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5). Mixed-effects models were used to examine (a) the effect of baseline depressive symptom severity on PTSD outcomes and (b) its interaction with treatment condition over time. Baseline depressive symptom severity did not significantly predict PTSD outcomes, RR = 1.005, p = .460, and did not moderate the relative effectiveness of EMDR and ImRs, RRs = 0.986-0.999, ps > .202. Both interventions were effective regardless of baseline depression, contrary to our hypotheses, though the findings may be limited by the use of a self-report depressive symptom measure, which may not capture broader clinical features of depression, and a sample limited to adults with childhood trauma-related PTSD. Overall, these findings support trauma-focused treatments irrespective of comorbid depressive symptom severity.

Complex neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia are characterized by impaired social interactions, cognitive deficits, and repetitive behaviors. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified the α5 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α5-nAChR) subunit as a significant risk factor for these neuropsychiatric conditions. The α5 subunit is a critical modulator of neural circuit dynamics, specifically through its functional involvement within vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-positive interneurons; however, its role in the sex-dependent maturation of behavioral phenotypes remains poorly understood. We characterized α5-nAChR knockout (ACNA5) mice to investigate the neurodevelopmental consequences of α5 subunit loss. ACNA5 mice displayed sexually dimorphic and age-dependent core symptoms relevant to ASD and schizophrenia. Regarding anxiety-like behavior, there was an opposite sex pattern between genotypes, evident only in adulthood. Cognitive assessment using the novel object location task revealed early-onset spatial memory deficits in ACNA5 females, whereas males exhibited a progressive decline from adolescence to adulthood. In the social domain, adult ACNA5 mice failed to exhibit social novelty preference; females displayed complete social indifference, while males displayed a pronounced familiarity bias. In addition, ACNA5 mice of both sexes displayed amplified repetitive behavior, emerging earlier in males, and poor nest-building scores across developmental stages. Together, these findings identify the α5-nAChR subunit as a crucial modulator of the maturation of neural circuits underlying social motivation, cognition, and emotional regulation. Our results implicate α5-containing nicotinic receptors in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders and establish the ACNA5 mouse as a valuable model for investigating sex-specific developmental trajectories and therapeutic windows.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a significant determinant of health across the life course and exhibit a dose-dependent relationship with the risk of mental and physical disorders in adulthood. One common yet under-recognized ACE is growing up in a family with an alcohol problem. The objective of this study was to review current data on the neurobiological mechanisms and clinical consequences of early exposure to parental alcohol use disorder, considered an ACE, along with implications for medical practice. A review was conducted of the literature on ACEs, with a particular focus on exposure to parental alcohol use disorder, the co-occurrence of other developmental adversities, and health outcomes in adulthood. Data on ACE screening and the trauma-informed care approach were also included. Parental alcohol use disorder often co-occurs with violence, neglect, and mental health disorders among caregivers, increasing overall stress exposure. Chronic developmental stress is associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation and persistent inflammation, as well as an increased risk of depression, anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders. Somatic consequences are also described, including a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as a poorer response to treatment in individuals with ACE exposure. The term adult children of alcoholics is descriptive in nature and does not constitute a diagnostic entity. Early exposure to a parent's alcohol use disorder as an ACE is associated with multidimensional health consequences in adulthood. Further research is needed on the efficacy and safety of ACE screening and the implementation of trauma-informed care.

Refugee communities across the world have long gathered to connect and support one another during times of crisis, and this has been well-documented. Despite the vast amount of literature pertaining to coping and resiliency among refugee communities, there is limited knowledge about refugee community healing. Approximately one in three refugees experiences depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress that can persist long after displacement. Dominant approaches within Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic (WEIRD) psychologies tend to conceptualize trauma through an individualistic lens, often overlooking social, historical, and collective dimensions of suffering. This can result in siloed findings with limited relevance to refugee communities. Addressing this gap, this paper reports on the third phase of a Decolonizing Participatory Action Research (PAR) study examining historical trauma and intergenerational healing among second-generation Tamil refugee young adults in Toronto. This community-driven study foregrounds a praxis of healing envisioned with, by, and for refugee communities. Two research questions guided the inquiry: (1) What elements are important for community healing among Tamil young adults? and (2) What do community healing practices and therapeutic interventions look like in this context? Using storytelling and participatory avatar-based community circles, alongside reflexive thematic analysis, seven key elements of community healing were identified: (1) agency and self-determination; (2) historical trauma-informed approaches; (3) cultural safety; (4) intergenerational connectedness and belonging; (5) destigmatized access and delivery; (6) holistic and authentic healing practices; and (7) truth-telling as justice. Findings highlight community healing as a dynamic, dialectical process, requiring both resistance to intersecting systems of oppression and the cultivation of radical hope for justice and liberation. Findings also emphasize the importance of culturally grounded, community-led interventions in promoting mental well-being. This study contributes innovative, participatory methodology and actionable insights for practitioners and policymakers, advancing a shift toward liberatory approaches to refugee health.