Possible Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

In a recent article written in the U.S. News Weekly titled “Memory-Erasing Gene Discovered in Mice,” researchers have discovered a gene that has the capabilities of erasing old memories by partaking in “memory extinction”.  "Memory extinction” is the term for replacing old memories with newer ones.  This special gene is called the Tet1 gene and its important function was discovered during experimentation with mice at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  The Tet1 gene likely controls other genes in order to erase old memories.  The discovery of this gene provides a tremendous opportunity to help treat people who are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder which is otherwise known as PTSD.  Li-Huei Tsai, the study’s senior author, says that if the activity of the Tet1 gene is increased, then people will be able to replace their memories of traumatic events with more pleasant ones.  Researchers were able to prove the function of this gene by completing a simple experiment with mice.  They assigned mice with the Tet1 gene to one group and mice without the Tet1 gene to another group.  The researchers conditioned both groups of mice to fear a certain cage that would mildly shock them when placed inside it.  After the memory of being shocked in the cage was formed, both groups of mice were put into the same cage, but weren’t shocked.  The conclusion of the experiment was that the mice without the Tet1 gene were still scared of the cage, but those mice with the Tet1 were no longer afraid of the cage.  Li-Huei Tsai said that what happened in the experiment was that the mice with the Tet1 gene replaced their old memory of being shocked with their new memory of not being harmed while in the cage.  He explains that this is how the Tet1 gene operates in memory extinction.  Tsai and his team are continuing to research ways of increasing Tet1 activity and trying to determine whether an increase in this gene actually could improve memory extinction.

            Right now, the Tet1 gene has been proven to be successful in replacing traumatic memories with more pleasant ones in mice, but the function of the Tet1 gene hasn’t been explored in humans yet.  Within the article, it noted that scientists say that successful research in animals doesn’t always prove to be as successful in humans.  Despite this, I sincerely hope that the Tet1 gene proves to be just as successful in humans.  It has the potential to help treat so many people struggling with PTSD.  I learned in my abnormal psychology class that the lifetime prevalence for PTSD among American adults is about 8%.  Stressors that bring on PTSD in humans range from natural disasters, transportation accidents, war, rape, torture, and terrorist attacks.  If the Tet1 gene is able to treat PTSD, then our soldiers will no longer have to suffer from their horrific memories and experiences of war.  Also, those that have been abused or been through traumatic events don’t have to experience the symptoms of PTSD such as sleeplessness, depression, irritability, and reliving the event through recurrent thoughts, images, and dreams.  Some people suffering from PTSD have been known to commit suicide as a result of not being able to handle the terrible experiences they went through.  However if the Tet1 gene is successful in treating PTSD in humans, then future suicides of those with PTSD can be prevented.  Also, the soldiers who have fought for our freedom and others will no longer have to experience the anguish of their old memories because they will be able to replace those terrible memories with newer, more pleasant ones as a result of the Tet1 gene.