News Study Identifies Two Genes That Boost Risk For Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

[MyPTSD]

Why do some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while others who suffered the same ordeal do not? A new discovery may shed light on the answer.

[DLMURL="http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/mind_brain/ptsd/~3/FUSNr42_p4c/150109123321.htm"]Continue reading...[/DLMURL]

 

[anthony]

Interesting nonetheless, but honestly, I am a little bored of reading the same thing that isn't conclusive... and since when is biology not a lot more conclusive than: In 2012, his team discovered that PTSD was more common in survivors who carried two gene variants associated with depression.

The use of the word "common" says not all showed the gene variants, and linking depression solely to PTSD... a far reach also. Sure... like other genetics research I've read to date, they find commonalities, but nothing conclusive, and this doesn't really seem much different to me. An attempted link of a genetic marker to PTSD, but it isn't conclusive and certainly not seen in a clear majority without a doubt to be assimilated.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Even if it isn't conclusive, it may lead to better research in the future, right? I know I learned a few things in that article. It seems that there are two possible gene variants related to an increased risk of PTSD, one related to serotonin, and the other related to dopamine. I think this in and of itself is telling in that there are those of us who do better when we are put on serotonin drugs (antidepressants or buspar) and there are those of us who do better when we are put on dopamine drugs (antipsychotics). Of course nothing is conclusive, but I can't help but wonder if I'm one of the dopamine gene variant people as antipsychotics really do help me whereas anything that messes with my serotonin brings out pure rage and makes me hypomanic. And in terms of those who have these genes being at higher risk? Its a sort of so what? Nobody ASKS for trauma, and if people did know that they had these genes, would they really change their lives as to avoid trauma? I see it more as shedding light on treatment possibilities more than anything else.

 

[darrenS]

dopamine and serotonin...look out - looks like pre marketing for another round of so called wonder drugs...not

 

[anthony]

And then you have those who don't do well on either category, due to negative effect.

A 2012 post: https://www.myptsd.com/threads/stud...nked-to-post-traumatic-stress-disorder.25749/

Another prior post on genes and PTSD, with conflicting information again based on childhood vs non-childhood PTSD:

The researchers were surprised to find that although hundreds of genes had significant changes in activity in the PTSD with and without child abuse groups, there was very little overlap in patterns between these groups. The two groups shared similar symptoms of PTSD, which include intrusive thoughts such as nightmares and flashbacks, avoidance of trauma reminders, and symptoms of hyperarousal and hypervigilance.

The PTSD with child abuse group displayed more changes in genes linked with development of the nervous system and regulation of the immune system, while the PTSD minus child abuse group displayed more changes in genes linked with apoptosis (cell death) and growth rate regulation. In addition, changes in methylation were more frequent in the PTSD with child abuse group. The authors believe that these biological pathways may lead to different mechanisms of PTSD symptom formation within the brain.

Dead Link Removed

A different gene again claiming PTSD: https://www.myptsd.com/threads/a-ge...nd-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-fkbp5.6150/

So yes... whilst I don't put much into the results of these studies initial findings, they may absolutely lead to better research in the future.

My advice to readers would simply be to not put too much credence into such early assessments on genetics and mental health. This has been going on for years, and whilst they're capturing better groups, there is still nothing conclusive.

What they need to do, IMHO, is isolate out absolutes with PTSD, zero doubt about their disorder. Then isolate out the maybes', all those who could have another disorder, no disorder, misdiagnosis, so forth. Put those into a group of their own. Then test. If the absolute comes out 95% all with the same genetic markers... I think we would have something more conclusive. But reading genetics and PTSD, nothing seems to come this close... and to be honest, if you are to tell me there is a genetic marker present in those with PTSD, or who are at risk for PTSD, then I would expect to see that marker in atleast 95% of people who fit the mould.

Purely my opinion though.

 

[Friday]

Nobody ASKS for trauma, and if people did know that they had these genes, would they really change their lives as to avoid trauma? I see it more as shedding light on treatment possibilities more than anything else.

Military, first response, disaster response, search & rescue, aid workers, trauma medicine, battlefield med, forensic sciences... There are a helluva lot of careers where trauma is part & parcel. You know, going into it, that at least the potential is there to be bad. And if you stay in? It's assured.

The stars incline but do not define... In science circles, most put about as much weight on gene research affecting behavior as they do astrology. Especially with activated genes. The 'tends to' means there may be correlation, but it's not causal. Not like trisomy 21 causes Down's syndrome.

Problem is, outside of science circles, some of this research is taken as causal / a done deal. Most notably; press, politicians, insurance carriers, & defense attorneys. There's been talk about super-soldiers, banning people from certain lines of work, enforced sterilization, etc... For ages. Like, skull measuring pseudo science, for ages.

 

[darrenS]

Problem is, outside of science circles, some of this research is taken as causal / a done deal. Most notably; press, politicians, insurance carriers, & defense attorneys. There's been talk about super-soldiers, banning people from certain lines of work, enforced sterilization, etc... For ages. Like, skull measuring pseudo science, for ages.

So true and its all made for TV like CSI and whammo , all of a sudden you have a informed misinformed public who think..gees I got x gene with so and so and im gonna have grey hair with purple spots, but as always they leave critical factors like environments that shape a gene, and can decide whether to activate other features.

There has been a lot of work with gene manipulation using nanotechnology , i did work with a science team where they were trying to turn off certain features within specific genes, so that astronauts would not absorb as much radiation, and they could also control the bone density loss when spending too long in space.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

My point is that people aren't going to change their lives because of the risk of developing PTSD. This issue is a FAR FAR cry from the identified breast cancer gene that has taken out long lines of women in a family so a young woman in her 30's may opt to have her breasts removed as to avoid the same fate. And why won't people change their behavior? PTSD is something "out there". It is something that other people get. "I won't be traumatized." "If I am traumatized, I am strong enough to not get a mental disorder!" "I can handle it!" "I am not weak, I won't get PTSD!" And the list goes on and on. Nobody ever thinks its going to happen to them. Especially not those who actually want to go into the fields that you have listed. (That is, you've gotta be strong to go into those fields, and I don't see that segment of the population saying "ok, I have this gene which "may" put me at risk so I'll back down". yeah, not happening.)

 

[DesiretoThrive]

I am happy to find such topics, responses and discussion during my first peruse outside of my homepage settings. There are many who are currently researching (from what I've been told) for genetic markers..."but they just aren't there quite yet." I agree. There are many researchers on this quest AND I hope something conclusive can be shared very soon. Just happy there is a way to connect with online resources like this one.