Researchers discover protective factor against psychological trauma


Date:
August 18, 2020
Source:
University of Basel
Summary:
The endogenous regulation of a specific gene is associated with a
reduced risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder following
a terrifying experience. In particular, traumatic memories of the
experience are less severe.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
The endogenous regulation of a specific gene is associated with a reduced
risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder following a terrifying experience.

In particular, traumatic memories of the experience are less severe.

Researchers from the University of Basel have reported these findings
in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.


========================================================================== Traumatic experiences, such as an accident, rape or torture, can
become deeply entrenched in a person's memory and cause symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) even years later. The stress hormone cortisol plays a vital role in the regulation of these memory processes,
as demonstrated by a number of studies, including those from the research
team led by Professor Dominique de Quervain at the University of Basel.

In their current project, de Quervain's team took a closer look at the
genes involved in cortisol signaling. Specifically, they determined the
extent to which these genes are subject to chemical regulation by methyl
groups on the DNA molecule. Vanja Vukojevic, one of the lead authors of
the study, analyzed DNA methylation in two groups of people affected by
trauma, namely 463 survivors of the Ugandan civil war and 350 survivors
of the genocide in Rwanda.

In both groups, those who showed stronger regulation of the gene NTRK2
were at less risk of developing PTSD. The researchers were also able to
rule out with a high degree of certainty that the trauma itself leads
to an altered regulation of this gene. They found no link between the
severity of the trauma and the extent of DNA methylation, which suggests
that the latter existed before the traumatic experience.

Weaker memory Several basic studies have already shown that the gene
NTRK2 plays a key role in memory formation. Indeed, in the current study, individuals with stronger regulation of this gene had fewer traumatic
memories. The researchers also found that the regulatory mechanism --
DNA methylation on the gene NTRK2 -- was also linked to memory in 568 non-traumatized individuals. Those with stronger methylation of the
gene performed worse when it came to remembering images they had seen previously. They also showed altered brain activity in regions important
for memory during the tests.

These results suggest that increased regulation of the NTRK2 gene
reduces memory formation. As a result, traumatic experiences do not
become as entrenched in the memory, reducing the risk of developing
PTSD. The researchers hope that this mechanism will contribute to the development of new therapies, which may also help in cases of existing
PTSD by preventing recurrent unpleasant recollections from further
cementing the traumatic memory.

The current study is part of the Basel Genetics Memory Project of the Transfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences,
led by Professor Andreas Papassotiropoulos and Professor Dominique
de Quervain. The aim is for the findings to be transferred from basic
research into clinical projects as quickly as possible.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Basel. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Vanja Vukojevic, David Coynel, Navid R. Ghaffari, Virginie Freytag,
Thomas Elbert, Iris-Tatjana Kolassa, Sarah Wilker, James L. McGaugh,
Andreas Papassotiropoulos, Dominique J.-F. de Quervain. NTRK2
methylation is related to reduced PTSD risk in two African cohorts
of trauma survivors. Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences, 2020; 202008415 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2008415117 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200817150450.htm

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