Noncoding RNAs: Stress, Glucocorticoids, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Genomics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects approximately 8% of the population and frequently co-occurs with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• Biological underpinnings of PTSD involve multiple systems, but the role of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) is under-explored.
• Deep sequencing reveals ncRNAs constitute a significant portion of the mammalian transcriptome.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the emerging evidence for ncRNA involvement in PTSD pathophysiology.
• To summarize the roles of microRNAs, long-noncoding RNAs, and retrotransposons in PTSD and related disorders.
• To focus on ncRNA roles in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and glucocorticoid dysfunction in PTSD and TBI.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of animal and human studies.
• Evaluation of findings on ncRNAs in PTSD and TBI.
• Synthesis of current knowledge on ncRNA classes (miRNAs, lncRNAs, retrotransposons).

Main Results:

• Developing evidence indicates ncRNAs are implicated in critical aspects of PTSD.
• Specific ncRNA classes, including microRNAs, long-noncoding RNAs, and retrotransposons, play roles in PTSD.
• ncRNAs are linked to HPA axis abnormalities and glucocorticoid dysfunction in PTSD and TBI.

Conclusions:

• ncRNAs are integral to the pathophysiology of PTSD and related trauma-brain disorders.
• ncRNAs show potential as biomarkers for diagnosing and managing PTSD.
• ncRNAs may facilitate the development of personalized medicine approaches for trauma-related brain conditions.