Korean J Biol Psychiatry.  2010 Nov;17(4):177-193.

Contribution of Genetic and Neuroimaging Studies towards a Better Understanding of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

• Kim JE
• Lyoo IK
• Jun C
• Lee YS

Abstract

significant advances have been made in understanding the biological underpinnings of post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD), particularly in the field of genetics and neuroimaging. Association studies in candidate genes related with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, monoamines including serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline, and proteins including FK506-binding protein 5 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor have provided important insights with regard to the vulnerability factors in PTSD. Genome-wide association studies and epigenetic studies may provide further information for the role of genes in the pathophysiology of PTSD. Hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulated cortex and amygdala have been considered as key structures that underlie PTSD pathophysiology. Future research that combines genetic and neuroimaging information may provide an opportunity for a more comprehensive understanding of PTSD.

Keyword

PTSD; Genetics; Neuroimaging

MeSH Terms

Amygdala
Axis, Cervical Vertebra
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Dopamine
Epigenomics
Genome-Wide Association Study
Hippocampus
Neuroimaging
Norepinephrine
Prefrontal Cortex
Proteins
Serotonin
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Tacrolimus Binding Proteins
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Dopamine
Norepinephrine
Proteins
Serotonin
Tacrolimus Binding Proteins