Low posttrauma GABA plasma levels as a predictive factor in the development of acute posttraumatic stress disorder.
BACKGROUND
Gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA) regulates the intensity and the duration of the central hyperadrenergic response in times of high stress and has been negatively associated with anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. We hypothesized that individuals with low plasma GABA levels may be more prone to develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the aftermath of trauma exposure.


METHODS
To test this hypothesis, we measured plasma GABA levels in a population of 108 road traffic accident victims on arrival at a traumatology department and assessed them for PTSD 6 weeks later.


RESULTS
The mean GABA level (nmol/mL) in the PTSD group (n = 55; M =.20; SD =.08) was significantly lower compared with members of the trauma-exposed group who did not develop PTSD [n = 17; M =.30; SD =.09), t(70) = 3.94, p =.0002].


CONCLUSIONS
Provided that GABA levels in the brain are genetically predetermined, our results would suggest that individuals with low plasma GABA levels are premorbidly more vulnerable to stress-related disorders such as acute PTSD. If replicated, plasma GABA levels measured in the aftermath of trauma exposure might help to identify individuals at high risk for developing PTSD.
Vaiva
Guillaume
G
Department of Psychiatry, Clinique Michel Fontan, University of Lille II, 6 rue du Professeur Laguesse, 59037 Lille Cedex, France.
Thomas
Pierre
P
Ducrocq
François
F
Fontaine
Monique
M
Boss
Virginie
V
Devos
Patrick
P
Rascle
Claire
C
Cottencin
Olivier
O
Brunet
Alain
A
Laffargue
Philippe
P
Goudemand
Michel
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012107:Research Design; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000097:blood*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid