Ethics

Genetic Risk Factors for PTSD

By Adam Kolber

A new JAMA study is discussed at MSNBC here.  It appears that adults who suffered from childhood abuse and also had certain genetic variations were significantly more like to have PTSD-symptoms than adults who were abused but lacked those genetic variations. From MSNBC:

The study of 900 adults is among the first to show that genes can be influenced by outside, nongenetic factors to trigger signs of PTSD. It is the largest of just two reports to show molecular evidence of a genetic influence on PTSD.

?We have known for over a decade, from twin studies, that genetic factors play a role in vulnerability to developing PTSD, but have had little success in identifying specific genetic variants that increase risk of the disorder,? said Karestan Koenen, a Harvard psychologist doing similar research. She was not involved in the new study.

The results suggest that there are critical periods in childhood when the brain is vulnerable ?to outside influences that can shape the developing stress-response system,? said Emory University researcher and study co-author Dr. Kerry Ressler.

. . .

Ressler noted that there are probably many other gene variants that contribute to risks for PTSD, and others may be more strongly linked to the disorder than the ones the researchers focused on.

Still, he and outside experts said the study is important and that similar advances could lead to tests that will help identify who?s most at risk. Treatments including psychotherapy and psychiatric drugs could be targeted to those people, Ressler said.

(Hat tip: Ivy Lapides.)

Full post as published by Neuroethics and Law on March 20, 2008 (boomark / email).