Genetic similarities between PTSD and other mental health disorders

 

 

In the article "Genetic analysis yields new insights into PTSD", a study conducted by researchers at Yale and the University of California-San Diego (UCSD) has uncovered that there are genetic similarities between PTSD and other mental disorders such as anxiety and bipolar disorder. Researchers are also trying to identify the genetic cause of neuropsychiatric diseases. There are various symptoms between PTSD and other mental health disorders. There are three clinical symptoms linked to just PTSD which are re-experience of a traumatic event, anger and irritability, ad avoidance of subject relating to past trauma. The gene variants are also found in disorders like depression. Drugs used for major depression or schizophrenia can be used to treat PTSD. The gene MAD1L1 of PTSD which regulates cell cycling, is also found in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients. The specific gene can be a general risk factor for people of different kinds of mental or behavioral disorders.

https://news.yale.edu/2021/01/28/genetic-analysis-yields-new-insights-ptsd

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd 

Evidence Shows That Your Genetics is Linked to the Development of Insomnia

This study looked at individual genes that cause the development of sleeping problems. It showed evidence of a genetic link between insomnia and certain psychiatric disorders and certain physical conditions. The study was run by Murray Stein from the University of California. One of the major culprits of loss of sleep is insomnia, 20% of Americans have problems sleeping. Insomnia greatly effects a person’s health in a negative way, which puts stress on the healthcare system. Insomnia has been linked with many long-term health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, PTSD, and suicide. Past studies have shown that traits like insomnia can be inherited. Understanding the molecular foundation for insomnia is key to being able to develop new treatments for this sleep disorder. This study shows evidence that insomnia is somewhat heritable. The study found a link between insomnia and depression and a strong link to type 2 diabetes. These links propose that there is a genetic trait that is common between these co-occurring phenotypes. The evidence from this study supports the evidence found in previous studies.



After reading this article from ScienceDaily, I looked for some more research on the linkage of insomnia to genetics. I found an article on another study that found seven genes that were identified as a link to insomnia. This study found similar evidence, to the previous study, that also linked these genes with certain psychological disorders. This study also found a link to two other common sleep disorders - periodic limb movements of sleep and restless legs syndrome.

Link Between Genes and PTSD

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170425102817.htm

Post traumatic stress disorder is a mental illness that impacts many around the world. Genetic link has been found between PTSD and schizophrenia, and since schizophrenia is more common in women, this suggests that women are also at greater risk for PTSD. A recent study looked into the genetics of those that have PTSD and those that have lived through traumatic events and not developed the mental illness. They believed that genetic variation was the reason why a person would be resilient to PTSD or be at risk for it. The study focused on about 20000 people from 11 different ethnic backgrounds. The found that 29% of the risk of getting PTSD is contributed to genes. This puts PTSD as one of the most genetically influenced mental illness. Researchers hope by being able to identify a patient's risk for getting PTSD that they can take preventative measures to make sure that they do not experience PTSD. I think that this is going to be very helpful to a lot of people if they are able to determine a person's risk for developing this mental illness. By implementing preventative measures for a person at risk, hopefully the amount of people that live with post-traumatic stress disorder will decrease.

Genetic Markers of PTSD Linked to Immune System Response

       A new study has developed to help identify who could possibly be affected by PTSD. Post - traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can present itself after experiencing an event or situation that triggers the mental health condition. It most commonly affects individuals who have been in military combat, accidents, or human disasters. The result of PTSD may cause individuals to develop sleep problems, recurrent stressful memories, severe anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Scientist are using blood samples from US Marines and have identified genetic markers associated with PTSD that are also linked to immune system response. Successful results could lead to treatments and prevention for the condition while providing predictions for who is most at risk.

       Scientist in the past have done studies using gene expressions from individuals with and without the disorder. The most recent research has been using transciptome RNA sequencing on blood samples. Senior author Michael S. Breen states, "By comparing US Marines who develop PTSD symptoms to those who do not, we can measure differences in genes, but also take into consideration the dynamic relationships between and among them, their connectivity". PTSD is a very complex disorder that if measured properly could be crucial to understanding the pathology of it.

       Blood samples were used from 188 US Marines before and after deployment. Using whole transcriptome RNA sequencing to analyze the blood samples, the team identified groups of genes that regulate the innate immune system and interferon signaling that were also linked to PTSD (MNT). The interesting part is that the innate immune response and interferon signaling were identified in the group before and the group after deployment. The research was replicated to ensure accuracy which lead to questions to why interferon signaling is occurring prior to deployment. In my opinion, the anxiety of knowing you are being deployed could lead to the response prior to the experience. I hope the study continues to concern scientist and researchers. I know many people personally that are affected by PTSD and the disorder is serious and should not go unnoticed. 

Genetic Markers of PTSD Linked to Immune System Response
RNA Sequencing

Antihistamines for PTSD Treatment?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was brought to public attention in connection with war veterans but can also occur in individuals of varying ages. Those with the disorder experience traumatic events that cause reoccurring stress related symptoms over time that interfere with daily life. Typical treatment for PTSD includes therapy such as Cognitive Processing, Prolonged Exposure, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing in addition to medications like Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. However a recent study has shown possible prospect for new treatment methods.

Research done at the University of Basel in Switzerland showed that a popular antihistamine resulted in a major reduction of recalling negative memories. In a double blind placebo controlled study of two target gene sets, neuroactive ligand receptor and the long term depression gene set, the antihistamine was shown to reduce recalling aversive pictures shown to them earlier. The compound also showed no affects on positive and neutral memories. For individuals with the disorder and their family this could be a step forward they were looking for.


www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/267762.php
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/what-is-ptsd.asp

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.       

Gene Linked to PTSD

When referring to Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, it is often said that not all wounds are visible.  PTSD is a debilitating disorder that quite literally destroys lives.  Trauma that initiates PTSD becomes so embedded in the mind of the person suffering from the disorder that it can lead to major depression, anxiety, insomnia, difficulty forming relationships, and even suicide.  But now, it has been discovered that there is indeed a genetic component to this disorder, which may eventually lead scientists to a cure.

According to Medical News Today, Ya-Ping Tang, MD, PhD, of New Orleans has found that a specific gene is critical to the adult-onset PTSD.  In particular, the action of this specific gene occurs during adolescent exposure to trauma.  This specific transgene has been identified as CCKR-2.

Not only is the original trauma significant to PTSD, but in most cases, a second stressor or "re-victimization" is essential to the development of this disorder.  In studies done with mice, original trauma and a second stressor were not enough on their own to cause PTSD.  However, with the introduction of CCKR-2, PTSD-like behavior was finally observed.

This identification of CCKR-2 and its significance in the development of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder have finally provided fresh hope for treatment of those who suffer from this life-altering condition.  Now that CCKR-2 is a known cofactor in the brain that coincides with adolescent trauma, it is possible for scientists to prevent and even cure PTSD by developing a way to block the reception of the neurotransmitter CCKR-2.  By doing so, generations could be spared the intense agony that is known as PTSD.