Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that occurs after experiencing a traumatic event. Although many people are exposed to trauma, only a small percentage develop PTSD. Studies that look at the entire genome (genome-wide association studies or GWAS) have found specific genetic signs related to PTSD in both civilian and military groups. However, studies have yet to examine the genetics of PTSD while factoring in risk for alcohol dependence, which commonly co-occur. Researchers examined genome-wide associations for DSM-IV PTSD among 4,978 trauma-exposed participants from COGA and investigated associations of polygenic risk scores (PRS) derived from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC)-PTSD Freeze 2 (N = 3533) and Million Veterans Program GWAS of PTSD (N = 5200) with PTSD and substance dependence in COGA, and moderating effects of sex and alcohol dependence. This study aims to investigate the genetic factors behind PTSD in relation to alcohol and other substance use disorders. It will analyze data from a group of families heavily affected by alcohol use disorders and explore how genetics and gender may play a role in these conditions.
Saenz de Viteri S, Zhang J, Johnson EC, Barr PB, Edenberg HJ, Hesselbrock VM, Nurnberger JI, Jr., Pandey AK, Kamarajan C, Kinreich S, Tischfield JA, Plawecki MH, Kramer JR, Lai D, Kuperman S, Chan G, McCutcheon VV, Bucholz KK, Porjesz B, Meyers JL (2023) Genomic risk for post-traumatic stress disorder in families densely affected with alcohol use disorders. Molecular Psychiatry. PMID: 37344610. DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02117-9.
