title: Progress towards understanding the genetics of posttraumatic stress disorder.
abstract: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex syndrome that occurs following exposure to a potentially life threatening traumatic event. This review summarises the literature on the genetics of PTSD including gene-environment interactions (GxE), epigenetics and genetics of treatment response. Numerous genes have been shown to be associated with PTSD using candidate gene approaches. Genome-wide association studies have been limited due to the large sample size required to reach statistical power. Studies have shown that GxE interactions are important for PTSD susceptibility. Epigenetics plays an important role in PTSD susceptibility and some of the most promising studies show stress and child abuse trigger epigenetic changes. Much of the molecular genetics of PTSD remains to be elucidated. However, it is clear that identifying genetic markers and environmental triggers has the potential to advance early PTSD diagnosis and therapeutic interventions and ultimately ease the personal and financial burden of this debilitating disorder.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George St., Brisbane 4000, QLD, Australia. Electronic address: j.voisey@qut.edu.au.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Voisey
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George St., Brisbane 4000, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Ross McD
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George St., Brisbane 4000, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Bruce R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Lawford
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 2 George St., Brisbane 4000, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Charles P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D032882:Comprehension; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Anxiety; Epigenetics; Genetics; PTSD; Trauma