FKBP5 genotype and structural integrity of the posterior cingulum

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Genetics
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Alterations in the posterior cingulum (PC) white matter tract are observed in psychiatric disorders.
• PC decrements may represent a heritable vulnerability for affective disorders.
• Genetic substrates for these white matter abnormalities remain largely unidentified.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between FKBP5 gene polymorphisms and PC integrity.
• To explore if specific FKBP5 variants are linked to white matter microarchitecture in traumatized individuals.

Main Methods:

• Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to measure PC integrity via fractional anisotropy (FA).
• Genotyping of the FKBP5 SNP rs1360780 was performed in 82 traumatized female civilians.
• Statistical analyses controlled for age, trauma exposure, and PTSD symptom severity.

Main Results:

• Individuals with two 'risk' alleles (T allele) of the FKBP5 SNP rs1360780 showed significantly lower FA in the left PC.
• This association remained significant after controlling for relevant covariates.
• Findings suggest a link between a specific FKBP5 polymorphism and reduced white matter integrity in the PC.

Conclusions:

• Specific allelic variants of the FKBP5 gene are associated with decrements in left PC microarchitecture.
• These white matter abnormalities may serve as a heritable biological marker for psychiatric disorder vulnerability.
• FKBP5 genotype could influence susceptibility to conditions such as PTSD.