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Current Psychiatry Reports
Published in: Current Psychiatry Reports 12/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Genetic Disorders (F Goes, Section Editor)

Robust Findings From 25 Years of PTSD Genetics Research

Authors: Laramie E. Duncan, Bryna N. Cooper, Hanyang Shen

Published in: Current Psychiatry Reports | Issue 12/2018

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to contextualize findings from the first 25 years of PTSD genetics research, focusing on the most robust findings and interpreting results in light of principles that have emerged from modern genetics studies.

Recent Findings

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) encompassing tens of thousands of participants enabled the first molecular genetic heritability and genetic correlation estimates for PTSD in 2017. In 2018, highly promising loci for PTSD were reported, including variants in and near the CAMKV, KANSL1, and TCF4 genes.

Summary

Twin studies from 25 years ago established that PTSD is genetically influenced and foreshadowed the molecular genetic findings of today. Discoveries that were impossible with smaller studies have been achieved via collaborative/team-science efforts. Most promisingly, individual genomic loci offer entirely novel clues about PTSD etiology, providing the raw material for transformative discoveries, and the future of PTSD research is bright.
Footnotes
1
Specifically, we review studies linking genetic variations with PTSD. We do not review gene expression studies nor do we review epigenetic studies, including studies of methylation.
 
2
Full-genome sequencing studies can theoretically provide the best heritability estimates because they assess common and rare genetic variations, but such studies are still cost prohibitive, and there are still regions of the genome that are intractable to current sequencing methods.
 
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Metadata
Title
Robust Findings From 25 Years of PTSD Genetics Research
Authors
Laramie E. Duncan
Bryna N. Cooper
Hanyang Shen
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Psychiatry Reports / Issue 12/2018
Print ISSN: 1523-3812
Electronic ISSN: 1535-1645
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-018-0980-1

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