A narrative review of the epigenetics of post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder treatment

Abstract

Epigenetic research in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is essential, given that environmental stressors and fear play such a crucial role in its development. As such, it may provide a framework for understanding individual differences in the prevalence of the disorder and in treatment response. This paper reviews the epigenetic markers associated with PTSD and its treatment, including candidate genes and epigenome-wide studies. Because the etiopathogenesis of PTSD rests heavily on learning and memory, we also draw upon animal neuroepigenetic research on the acquisition, update and erasure of fear memory, focusing on the mechanisms associated with memory reconsolidation. Reconsolidation blockade (or impairment) treatment in PTSD has been studied in clinical trials and, from a neurological perspective, may hold promise for identifying epigenetic markers of successful therapy. We conclude this paper by discussing several key considerations and challenges in epigenetic research on PTSD in humans.

Mechanisms of Epigenetic Inheritance in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

“…Most recently, in 2023, Wilker et al found that methylation on the cg25535999 CpG site of the NR3C1 intron is negatively associated with PTSD symptoms (however, this study lacks data on GR expression level) [62]. Other epigenetic markers have been proposed to be associated with recovery or the prediction of treatment response [36,[63][64][65][66][67][68][69]. Lastly, in 2021 Vinkers et al revealed the possibility of reversing DNA methylation at the ZFP57 gene as a treatment for PTSD, opening the window to a new method of PTSD and psychiatric disorder treatment via epigenetics [36].…”

Enhancing post-traumatic stress disorder patient assessment: Leveraging Natural Language Processing for Research of Domain Criteria Identification using electronic medical records

“…Cognitive Systems: Cognitive de cits in PTSD affect attention, planning, and memory, with attentional bias towards threat stimuli and memory biases contributing to hyperarousal [21]. Epigenetic modi cations and gene polymorphisms, like in the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene, are linked to memory de cits in PTSD [22], [23]. Effective treatment may improve cognitive de cits.…”

Enhancing post-traumatic stress disorder patient assessment: leveraging natural language processing for research of domain criteria identification using electronic medical records

“…Cognitive deficits in PTSD affect attention, planning, and memory, with attentional bias towards threat stimuli and memory biases contributing to hyperarousal [28]. Epigenetic modifications and gene polymorphisms, like in the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene, are linked to memory deficits in PTSD [29,30]. Effective treatment may improve cognitive deficits.…”