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Gene-environment interaction in posttraumatic stress disorder

Review, strategy and new directions for future research

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Abstract

The purpose of this article is to encourage research investigating the role of measured gene-environment interaction (G × E) in the etiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is uniquely suited to the study of G × E as the diagnosis requires exposure to a potentially-traumatic life event. PTSD is also moderately heritable; however, the role of genetic factors in PTSD etiology has been largely neglected both by trauma researchers and psychiatric geneticists. First, we summarize evidence for genetic influences on PTSD from family, twin, and molecular genetic studies. Second, we discuss the key challenges in G × E studies of PTSD and offer practical strategies for addressing these challenges and for discovering replicable G × E for PTSD. Finally, we propose some promising new directions for PTSD G × E research. We suggest that G × E research in PTSD is essential to understanding vulnerability and resilience following exposure to a traumatic event.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Society, Human Development, and Health and Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Kresge 613, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Karestan C. Koenen

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Karestan C. Koenen

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA

    Nicole R. Nugent & Ananda B. Amstadter

  4. Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA

    Nicole R. Nugent

  5. Department of Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA

    Ananda B. Amstadter

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  1. Karestan C. Koenen
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  2. Nicole R. Nugent
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  3. Ananda B. Amstadter
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Correspondence to Karestan C. Koenen.

Additional information

Dr. Koenen is supported in part by US-NIMH K08 MH070627. Ananda Amstadter is supported by US-NIAAA T32 AA007474. Nicole Nugent is supported by US-NIMH T32 MH18869.

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Koenen, K.C., Nugent, N.R. & Amstadter, A.B. Gene-environment interaction in posttraumatic stress disorder. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosc 258, 82–96 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-007-0787-2

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