PTSD

Rebecca Shansky, associate professor of psychology, works in her lab in Nightingale Hall. Photo by Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University

Why don’t drugs work as well for women? They’re tested on male mice.

Many pharmaceutical drugs don’t work as well for women as for men— and women are more often misdiagnosed for strokes and ADHD. Rebecca M. Shansky, associate professor of psychology at Northeastern, says the root of problem lies with research—and the fact that many scientists have only used male mice in their studies.

by Allie Nicodemo - contributor March 8, 2021

Illustration by Hannah Moore/Northeastern University

To survive a trauma like the Capitol riot, it helps to discuss it

Graphic depictions of the deadly Jan. 6th insurrection were shown Tuesday at Former President Trump’s impeachment trial. Northeastern professors who specialize in mental health say acknowledging the impact can help reduce the stigma of PTSD.

by Hillary Chabot February 9, 2021

Former U.S. Representative Chris Gibson and U.S. Representative Seth Moulton speak with moderator Stephanie Murray during The Civic Experience: The Enduring Value of Military Service at the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex. Photo by Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University

Here’s how two veterans of the Iraq war say their combat experience served them in Congress

Former U.S. Representative Chris Gibson and U.S. Representative Seth Moulton sat on different sides of the aisle…

by Roberto Molar Candanosa November 4, 2019

Rebecca Shansky, an associate professor of psychology at Northeastern, is using female rats to understand how an estrogen hormone may be helping women with PTSD. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Why do hormones affect a woman’s ability to recover from PTSD?

Rebecca Shansky, an associate professor of psychology at Northeastern, is trying to understand the connection between the amount of an estrogen hormone in a woman’s system and her ability to respond to treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder by mapping the brain signals of female rats. She hopes her findings will lead to more effective treatments for women.

by Laura Castañón July 25, 2019

Of mice and women

Victorian-era stereotypes that were originally used to keep women out of leadership positions are still with us today, says Rebecca Shansky, an associate professor of…

by Adam Fischer and Benjamin Bertsch July 23, 2019

Most biomedical research is done on male animals. That’s a public health problem.

Stress-related illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder occur twice as frequently in women as they do in men, says Northeastern researcher Rebecca Shansky. But most of the research for treatments has been done on male animals, which means they might not work on women.

by Laura Castañón May 30, 2019

01/07/15 - BOSTON, MA. - Rebecca Shansky poses for a portrait on Jan. 7, 2015. Photo by Adam Glanzman/Northeastern University

Researchers’ preclinical trial upends conventional wisdom about responses to fear

Northeastern assistant professor of psychology Rebecca Shansky provides insights into new treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder with a preclinical study that distinguishes how males and females respond to traumatic events.

by Thea Singer January 28, 2016

09/11/15 - BOSTON, MA. - Nancy Hanrahan poses for a portrait by Robinson Hall on Sept. 11, 2015. Photo by Adam Glanzman/Northeastern University

School of Nursing’s new dean seeks to advance science of patient care

Nancy Hanrahan says, “Nurses are the perfect vectors for influencing public health change.”

by Greg St. Martin October 27, 2015

Does the shape of our neurons define our behavior?

People have often said that the brain is the most complex thing in the universe. Of course, a statement like that spurs…

by Angela Herring June 28, 2012

3Qs: Surviving the trauma in Japan

Following last month's severe earthquake, Japan has endured two strong aftershocks in less than a week, knocking out power in some areas and undoubtedly intensifying the anxieties of residents. Here, Hortensia Amaro, Distinguished Professor and associate dean in Bouvé College of Health Sciences, discusses the role post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be playing in the lives of the Japanese people today.

by Kara Shemin April 8, 2011