University of California - Irvine Feb 3 2026 Experiencing multiple acute stresses at the same time, as in natural disasters or mass shootings, can leave lasting memory scars. New research from the University of California, Irvine suggests that levels of estrogen in the brain may play a surprising role in this vulnerability, especially for women. The study, published today in  Neuron , provides insight into why women are more likely than men to develop post-traumatic stress disorder and face