1
|
Baghaei A, Zoshk MY, Hosseini M, Fasihi H, Nassireslami E, Shayesteh S, Laripour R, Amoli AE, Heidari R, Chamanara M. Prominent genetic variants and epigenetic changes in post-traumatic stress disorder among combat veterans. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:325. [PMID: 38393604 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09276-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most widespread and disabling psychiatric disorders among combat veterans. Substantial interindividual variability in susceptibility to PTSD suggests the presence of different risk factors for this disorder. Twin and family studies confirm genetic factors as important risk factors for PTSD. In addition to genetic factors, epigenetic factors, especially DNA methylation, can be considered as a potential mechanism in changing the risk of PTSD. So far, many genetic and epigenetic association studies have been conducted in relation to PTSD. In genetic studies, many single nucleotide polymorphisms have been identified as PTSD risk factors. Meanwhile, the variations in catecholamines-related genes, serotonin transporter and receptors, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, inflammatory factors, and apolipoprotein E are the most prominent candidates. CpG methylation in the upstream regions of many genes is also considered a PTSD risk factor. Accurate identification of genetic and epigenetic changes associated with PTSD can lead to the presentation of suitable biomarkers for susceptible individuals to this disorder. This study aimed to delineate prominent genetic variations and epigenetic changes associated with post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans who have experienced combat, focusing on genetic and epigenetic association studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmadali Baghaei
- Trauma Research center, AJA university of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mohsen Hosseini
- The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Fasihi
- Biomaterial and Medicinal Chemistry Research Center, AJA University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Nassireslami
- Toxicology Research Center, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sevda Shayesteh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Reza Laripour
- Social and Preventive Medicine Department, School of Medicine, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aynaz Eslami Amoli
- Trauma Research center, AJA university of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Heidari
- Cancer Epidemiology Research Center (AJA-CERTC), AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Medical Biotechnology Research Center, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohsen Chamanara
- Toxicology Research Center, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Student research committee, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Antolasic EJ, Jaehne EJ, van den Buuse M. Interaction of Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor, Exercise, and Fear Extinction: Implications for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:543-556. [PMID: 37491857 PMCID: PMC10845100 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230724101321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) plays an important role in brain development, neural plasticity, and learning and memory. The Val66Met single-nucleotide polymorphism is a common genetic variant that results in deficient activity-dependent release of BDNF. This polymorphism and its impact on fear conditioning and extinction, as well as on symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), have been of increasing research interest over the last two decades. More recently, it has been demonstrated that regular physical activity may ameliorate impairments in fear extinction and alleviate symptoms in individuals with PTSD via an action on BDNF levels and that there are differential responses to exercise between the Val66Met genotypes. This narrative literature review first describes the theoretical underpinnings of the development and persistence of intrusive and hypervigilance symptoms commonly seen in PTSD and their treatment. It then discusses recent literature on the involvement of BDNF and the Val66Met polymorphism in fear conditioning and extinction and its involvement in PTSD diagnosis and severity. Finally, it investigates research on the impact of physical activity on BDNF secretion, the differences between the Val66Met genotypes, and the effect on fear extinction learning and memory and symptoms of PTSD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily J. Antolasic
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Emily J. Jaehne
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Domitrovic Spudic S, Nikolac Perkovic M, Uzun S, Nedic Erjavec G, Kozumplik O, Svob Strac D, Mimica N, Pivac N. Reduced plasma BDNF concentration and cognitive decline in veterans with PTSD. Psychiatry Res 2022; 316:114772. [PMID: 35961151 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a trauma and stress related disorder frequently associated with cognitive decline. War veterans with PTSD have a higher risk of developing dementia than healthy subjects. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important protein that modulates plasticity, memory consolidation and cognitive processes. Lower circulating BDNF levels were related to memory impairment and cognitive deterioration. The aim of this study was to evaluate cognitive deterioration and plasma BDNF concentration in 120 veterans with combat related PTSD, 120 healthy controls, 47 subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 76 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and to assess if plasma BDNF concentration might be used as biomarker of cognitive deterioration. Veterans with PTSD had significantly decreased plasma BDNF concentration and worse cognitive performances (assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination, Clock Drawing test and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores/categories) than healthy subjects, and similarly reduced plasma BDNF and cognitive decline as MCI subjects. Reduced plasma BDNF was found in cognitively impaired subjects. These results suggest that veterans with PTSD should be closely monitored in order to early detect and predict cognitive worsening and promote interventions that might help restore blood BDNF levels and cognitive functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Matea Nikolac Perkovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Suzana Uzun
- Department for Biological Psychiatry and Psychogeriatrics, University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, 10090 Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gordana Nedic Erjavec
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Oliver Kozumplik
- Department for Biological Psychiatry and Psychogeriatrics, University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, 10090 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dubravka Svob Strac
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ninoslav Mimica
- Department for Biological Psychiatry and Psychogeriatrics, University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, 10090 Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nela Pivac
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hua JPY, Cano M, Batki SL, Pennington DL. Impact of Alcohol Use, Traumatic Stress, and Cigarette Smoking on Cognitive Functioning in Veterans With Co-occurring Alcohol Use Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Mil Med 2022; 188:usac282. [PMID: 36179109 PMCID: PMC10362996 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usac282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and PTSD have high rates of co-occurrence in U.S. Military Veterans resulting in incrementally worse functional outcomes relative to having either one of these disorders alone. Cognitive dysfunction can impede one's ability to benefit from standard behavioral AUD and PTSD treatments. Cigarette smoking is also highly prevalent among U.S. Military Veterans, and cognitive dysfunction is associated with chronic cigarette use among individuals with AUD and PTSD independently. However, much less is known about to what extent cigarette smoking further impairs cognitive functioning in individuals with both co-occurring AUD and PTSD. MATERIALS AND METHODS U.S. Veterans with co-occurring AUD and PTSD (n = 162) completed a comprehensive cognitive assessment covering various domains: working memory, processing speed, mental switching, cognitive inhibition, auditory-verbal learning, auditory-verbal memory, and verbal fluency. To examine the impact of alcohol use, traumatic stress, and cigarette smoking on cognitive function, we conducted a three-way interaction examining the moderated effects of smoking status on the association between alcohol use and PTSD symptoms on a composite domain of global cognition. RESULTS Smoking status in Veterans with co-occurring AUD and PTSD moderated the relationship between alcohol use and global cognition (P = .042), such that higher levels of alcohol use in the past week were related to worse global cognitive function among Veterans cigarette smokers (P = .015) but not among nonsmokers (P = .833). On follow-up analyses of individual cognitive domains, greater alcohol use in the past week was associated with lower cognitive inhibition in smokers but not nonsmokers, with traumatic stress symptoms moderating this effect (P = .039). Additionally, smoking status moderated the relationship between alcohol use and auditory-verbal learning, such that there was a differential relationship between alcohol use and auditory-verbal learning between smokers and nonsmokers. CONCLUSIONS Overall, results provide evidence for the compounding impact of alcohol use, traumatic stress, and cigarette smoking on cognitive functioning. Impaired cognitive performance on a global level as well as on individual domains of cognitive inhibition and auditory-verbal learning were evident. Cognitive dysfunction may impede a Veteran's ability to benefit from therapeutic treatment, and these cognitive domains may represent potential targets for cognitive training efforts. Further, study results support smoking cessation initiatives and smoke-free policies enacted at Veterans Affairs healthcare facilities and medical centers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica P Y Hua
- Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Centers, San Francisco VA Medical Center and the University of California, San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Monique Cano
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Steven L Batki
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Northern California Institute for Research and Education, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
| | - David L Pennington
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Northern California Institute for Research and Education, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Interactive effects of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and posttraumatic stress disorder on cognition in U.S. military veterans. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 142:105820. [PMID: 35679772 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with mild-to-moderate deficits in cognition. The Met allele of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met gene may also be associated with deficits in cognition. However, findings are inconsistent and may be sensitive to moderating variables such as psychopathology. While emerging research suggests that PTSD and the Met allele may interact, few studies have replicated this effect or examined the interactive effect of PTSD and the Met allele on subjective cognition. To address this gap, the current study analyzed data from European-American (EA) U.S. military veterans (n = 1244) who participated in the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study (NHRVS) to examine the main and interactive effects of BDNF Val66Met genotype and probable PTSD on objective and subjective cognition. Results revealed significant (p's < 0.001) interactions between Met allele carrier status and probable PTSD in objective and subjective cognition. Among individuals with probable PTSD (n = 131), the Met allele was associated with poorer objective (p < .001, d = 0.62) and subjective cognition (p = .001, d = 0.53). Among individuals without PTSD (n = 1113), the Met allele was not significantly associated with objective or subjective cognition. These findings suggest that PTSD may moderate the association between Met allele carrier status and cognition. Implications of these results for the mitigation of cognitive dysfunction in older veterans are discussed.
Collapse
|
6
|
Pivac N, Nedic Erjavec G, Sagud M, Nikolac Perkovic M, Tudor L, Uzun S, Kovacic Petrovic Z, Konjevod M, Dvojkovic A, Kozumplik O, Svob Strac D, Peraica T, Mimica N, Zivkovic M, Hirasawa-Fujita M, Domino EF. The association between BDNF C270T genetic variants and smoking in patients with mental disorders and in healthy controls. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 113:110452. [PMID: 34637871 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Studies investigating the association between smoking and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism have reported inconclusive results, while the studies on the association of smoking status with BDNF C270T polymorphism are missing. We aimed to determine the association of smoking and BDNF Val66Met and C270T genetic variants in control subjects and patients with mental disorders. This study included 3502 Caucasian subjects: 918 healthy controls and 2584 patients with mental disorders (519 individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 419 patients with depression, 996 patients with schizophrenia, and 650 patients with alcohol dependence). The frequency of the BDNF Val66Met and C270T variants were presented in codominant, dominant and recessive models. BDNF C270T, but not BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, was significantly associated with smoking in all groups, since the presence of the C270T T allele was more frequently found in smokers compared to non-smokers. Significant predictors of smoking were sex, age and BDNF C270T genetic variants. However, after detailed analysis of the separate diagnostic entities, the significant association of BDNF C270T polymorphism was confirmed only in healthy subjects, but not in patients with mental disorders; and was not related to number of cigarettes smoked per day. In patients with alcohol dependence, the severity of smoking was significantly associated with BDNF Val66Met variants. This is a first report of the significant association between the BDNF C270T polymorphism and smoking status in the large groups of Caucasian cases/controls.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nela Pivac
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | | | - Marina Sagud
- University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; The University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | | | - Suzana Uzun
- University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Zrnka Kovacic Petrovic
- The University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | | | - Oliver Kozumplik
- University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | | | | | - Ninoslav Mimica
- The University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | | | - Edward F Domino
- University of Michigan, Department of Pharmacology, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sottile RJ, Vida T. A proposed mechanism for the MDMA-mediated extinction of traumatic memories in PTSD patients treated with MDMA-assisted therapy. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:991753. [PMID: 36311515 PMCID: PMC9596814 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.991753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a devastating psychiatric disorder afflicting millions of people around the world. Characterized by severe anxiety, intrusive thoughts, pervasive nightmares, an assortment of somatic symptoms, associations with severe long-term health problems, and an elevated risk of suicide, as much as 40-70% of patients suffer from refractory disease. 3,4-Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), like classic psychedelics such as psilocybin, have been used to enhance the efficacy of psychotherapy almost since their discovery, but due to their perceived potential for abuse and inclusion on USFDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) schedule 1, research into the mechanism by which they produce improvements in PTSD symptomology has been limited. Nevertheless, several compelling rationales have been explored, with the pro-social effects of MDMA thought to enhance therapeutic alliance and thus facilitate therapist-assisted trauma processing. This may be insufficient to fully explain the efficacy of MDMA in the treatment of psychiatric illness. Molecular mechanisms such as the MDMA mediated increase of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) availability in the fear memory learning pathways combined with MDMA's pro-social effects may provide a more nuanced explanation for the therapeutic actions of MDMA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Sottile
- Department of Medical Education, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, United States
| | - Thomas Vida
- Department of Medical Education, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, United States
| |
Collapse
|