A narrative review of the epigenetics of post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder treatment

Lei Cao-Lei; Daniel Saumier; Justine Fortin; Alain Brunet

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.857087

A narrative review of the epigenetics of post-traumatic stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder treatment

Front Psychiatry. 2022 Nov 7:13:857087. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.857087. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Lei Cao-Lei¹, Daniel Saumier¹, Justine Fortin^{1

2}, Alain Brunet^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Research Center of the Douglas Mental Health University Institute (CIUSSS-ODIM), Montreal, QC, Canada.
² Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
³ Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.

Abstract

Epigenetic research in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is essential, given that environmental stressors and fear play such a crucial role in its development. As such, it may provide a framework for understanding individual differences in the prevalence of the disorder and in treatment response. This paper reviews the epigenetic markers associated with PTSD and its treatment, including candidate genes and epigenome-wide studies. Because the etiopathogenesis of PTSD rests heavily on learning and memory, we also draw upon animal neuroepigenetic research on the acquisition, update and erasure of fear memory, focusing on the mechanisms associated with memory reconsolidation. Reconsolidation blockade (or impairment) treatment in PTSD has been studied in clinical trials and, from a neurological perspective, may hold promise for identifying epigenetic markers of successful therapy. We conclude this paper by discussing several key considerations and challenges in epigenetic research on PTSD in humans.

Keywords: DNA methylation; PTSD; epigenetic markers; intervention; treatment.

Publication types

Review