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Updated: May 18, 2026
08:29
Biomarkers in an Animal Model for Revealing Neural, Hematologic, and Behavioral Correlates of PTSD
Published on: October 10, 2012
Predicting PTSD: pre-existing vulnerabilities in glucocorticoid-signaling and implications for preventive
Mirjam van Zuiden1, Annemieke Kavelaars, Elbert Geuze
1Anxiety Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
|September 18, 2012
Summary
Biological vulnerability factors, including glucocorticoid (GC) signaling pathway dysregulations, predict posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) risk. Identifying these factors may enable targeted preventive interventions for PTSD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder affecting ~10% of trauma-exposed individuals.
- Biological vulnerability factors present before symptom onset are hypothesized to influence PTSD development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review identified vulnerability factors in the glucocorticoid (GC) signaling pathway for PTSD development.
- To discuss implications for preventive interventions, including GC receptor (GR) agonists and oxytocin.
Main Methods:
- Review of studies identifying GC signaling pathway dysregulations as PTSD vulnerability factors.
- Analysis of genetic associations (SNPs) in GR and FKBP5 genes.
Main Results:
- Vulnerable individuals show dysregulations in GC signaling: low cortisol post-trauma, high GR number, high GILZ mRNA, low FKBP5 expression, and high T-cell sensitivity to GCs.
- SNPs in GR and FKBP5 genes are associated with increased PTSD risk.
Conclusions:
- Pre-trauma GC signaling sensitivity may precede PTSD development.
- Identified vulnerability factors can aid in targeted preventive interventions and new pharmacological strategies for PTSD.
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