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Updated: May 31, 2026
08:29
Biomarkers in an Animal Model for Revealing Neural, Hematologic, and Behavioral Correlates of PTSD
Published on: October 10, 2012
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element binding protein in post-traumatic stress disorder
Claudia Martini1, Eleonora Da Pozzo, Claudia Carmassi
1Dipartimento di Psichiatria, Neurobiologia, Farmacologia e Biotecnologie, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Summary
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients exhibit lower total CREB protein levels in lympho-monocytes compared to healthy individuals. This suggests the cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element binding (CREB) pathway may play a role in PTSD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- The cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element binding (CREB) protein is a crucial transcription factor regulating neural processes like learning, neuroplasticity, and stress response.
- Altered CREB pathway signaling is implicated in depression and alcohol abuse.
- Limited research exists on CREB pathway involvement in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate total and activated CREB protein levels in lympho-monocytes of drug-free PTSD patients.
- To compare CREB protein levels in PTSD patients with healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Immunoenzymatic techniques were used to measure CREB protein levels and activation.
- Lympho-monocytes were isolated from blood samples of 20 PTSD patients and 20 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- PTSD patients showed significantly lower levels of total CREB protein in lympho-monocytes compared to healthy controls.
- No significant difference was observed in activated CREB protein levels between PTSD patients and controls.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary findings suggest the CREB pathway may be involved in the pathophysiology of PTSD.
- Further research is needed to explore the relationship between specific PTSD symptom clusters and the CREB pathway.
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