Correlation between hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis gene polymorphisms and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms

Area of Science:

• Neuroendocrinology
• Genetics
• Psychiatry

Background:

• The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates stress responses and fear learning.
• Understanding HPA axis gene polymorphisms is crucial for comprehending stress-related disorders like PTSD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between HPA axis gene polymorphisms and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Chinese earthquake survivors.
• To examine correlations between HPA axis genes and distinct PTSD symptom clusters.

Main Methods:

• Genotyping of eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in three HPA axis genes (FKBP5, CRHR1, CRHR2).
• Assessment of PTSD symptoms and severity using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) in 1132 survivors.
• Analysis of main effects, gene-environment (G×E), and gene-gene (G×G) interactions.

Main Results:

• A CRHR2 SNP (rs2267715) was associated with overall PTSD severity and most symptom clusters.
• In women, FKBP5 and CRHR1 polymorphisms showed G×E interactions with trauma exposure, affecting PTSD severity and specific symptoms.
• In men, an FKBP5-CRHR1 G×G interaction influenced PTSD severity and multiple symptom clusters.

Conclusions:

• Genetic polymorphisms in HPA axis genes play a significant role in PTSD development and symptom presentation.
• Gene-environment and gene-gene interactions are critical factors in the manifestation of PTSD following trauma exposure.