Biochemical and Physiological Response to Stressogenic Stimuli

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by physiological changes, some of which are thought to be chronic, while others are observed in response to stressogenic stimuli. A psychiatric diagnosis of PTSD is currently based mainly on non-quantitative elements, such as interviews and subjective impressions. Discernable patterns of stress-related measures may constitute a physiological and biochemical phenotype characteristic of PTSD, which may serve as a biomarker and support diagnostic decisions, as well as personalized treatment plans. The current study is aimed at examining the possibility of basing a psychiatric diagnosis by measuring changes in the biochemical phenotype of participants with PTSD. Physiological and biochemical data will be collected from participants with and without PTSD using wearable sensors and adhesive biosensor patches. The data will be collected in two conditions: in a neutral, quiet situation, and during and following exposure to controlled stressogenic stimuli.

Participants will be exposed to an anxiety-provoking stimulus for 15-20 minutes, in a controlled setting

Physiological and biochemical measures will be obtained using the Biobeat smart watch and adhesive biosensor patches.

Significant differences in Heart Rate Variability - between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in physiological changes - body temperature- between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in physiological changes - Saturation SPO2- between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in physiological changes - continuous blood pressure- between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in physiological changes - pulse pressure - between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in physiological changes - respiratory rate- between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in physiological changes - stroke volume- between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in physiological changes - cardiac output - between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in physiological changes - systemic vascular resistance- between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in biochemical changes - cortisol - between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in biochemical changes - C-reactive protein - between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in biochemical changes - Interleukin 6 - between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in biochemical changes between groups - N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide

Significant differences in biochemical changes - N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide - between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in biochemical changes - 8-oxo-7- between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in biochemical changes - 8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine - between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in biochemical changes - hexanone - between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in biochemical changes - acetic acid - between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in biochemical changes - heptane - between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in biochemical changes -hexanal - between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in biochemical changes - 3-heptanone - between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in biochemical changes - hexanoic acid - between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in biochemical changes -heptanal - between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in biochemical changes - nonanal - between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Significant differences in biochemical changes - glucose - between groups (participants with PTSD and controls) before and after exposure to stressogenic stimuli

Inclusion Criteria: PTSD diagnosis (excluding controls) Proper ability to give informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Active oncological/cardiovascular condition Dialysis patients Active psychotic or suicidal symptoms Severe dissociative symptoms A traumatic brain injury (TBI) diagnosis Pregnancy