A Review of Epigenetics of PTSD in Comorbid Psychiatric Conditions

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an acquired psychiatric disorder with functionally impairing physiological and psychological symptoms following a traumatic exposure. Genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors act together to determine both an individual’s susceptibility to PTSD and its clinical phenotype. In this literature review, we briefly review the candidate genes that have been implicated in the development and severity of the PTSD phenotype. We discuss the importance of the epigenetic regulation of these candidate genes. We review the general epigenetic mechanisms that are currently understood, with examples of each in the PTSD phenotype. Our focus then turns to studies that have examined PTSD in the context of comorbid psychiatric disorders or associated social and behavioral stressors. We examine the epigenetic variation in cases or models of PTSD with comorbid depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders. We reviewed the literature that has explored epigenetic regulation in PTSD in adverse childhood experiences and suicide phenotypes. Finally, we review some of the information available from studies of the transgenerational transmission of epigenetic variation in maternal cases of PTSD. We discuss areas pertinent for future study to further elucidate the complex interactions between epigenetic modifications and this complex psychiatric disorder.

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M29. SPECIFIC SYMPTOMS IN ADOLESCENCE PREDICT PSYCHOSIS IN THE NORTHERN FINLAND BIRTH COHORT 1986

Schizophrenia Bulletin ◽

10.1093/schbul/sbaa030.341 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S145-S145

Author(s):

Johanna Palomäki ◽

Martta Kerkelä ◽

Marjo-Riitta Järvelin ◽

Peter Jones ◽

Graham Murray ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychiatric Disorder ◽

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Birth Cohort ◽

Negative Symptoms ◽

Psychotic Disorders ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Population Sample ◽

First Episode ◽

Prodromal Symptoms ◽

Positive And Negative Symptoms

Abstract Background A number of psychological symptoms have been found to predict psychosis. Many studies have found no specificity to separate symptoms predicting non-psychotic psychiatric disorders from those predicting psychotic disorders. Prodromal symptoms are non-specific problems often preceding frank psychosis. Previously prodromal symptoms have been studied mainly retrospectively or in high-risk clinical populations. We were able to conduct prospective study comparing adolescent symptoms predicting non-psychotic psychiatric disorders and psychotic psychiatric disorders. Methods Members of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 were asked to fill in PROD-screen questionnaire at age 15–16 years. PROD-screen includes 21 items both measuring positive prodromal symptoms, negative prodromal symptoms and general symptoms. We were able to follow 5,368 participants using Finnish Hospital Discharge Register detecting new hospital treated mental disorders till 30 years. Results Subjects who developed psychosis had significantly more commonly positive and negative symptoms than subjects without psychiatric disorder or subjects who developed non-psychotic disorder. When comparing separate symptoms in those having psychiatric hospital treatments, we found three positive symptoms and three negative symptoms predicting specifically psychotic disorders. After adjusting for confounders, the symptoms predicting psychosis were: Difficulty in controlling one’s speech, behavior or facial expression while communicating, Difficulties in understanding written text or speech heard, Feelings, thoughts or behaviors that could be considered weird or peculiar. Three of the negative symptoms also predicted psychosis: Difficulty or uncertainty in making contact with other people, Lack of initiative or difficulty in completing tasks, Difficulties in carrying out ordinary routine activities (at least one week). Discussion In this large prospective population sample both positive and negative symptoms in adolescence associated specifically with development of first episode psychosis compared to hospital treated non-psychotic disorders. This finding is in line with the other prospective general population follow-up studies. The main contribution of our study to the literature is that we had the possibility to compare the subjects who developed clinically real hospital-treated psychosis not only to healthy comparison subjects but also to subjects who developed non-psychotic psychiatric disorder.

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Nightmares in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and Psychotic Disorders: A Systematic Review

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9123990 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 3990

Author(s):

Marine Ambar Akkaoui ◽

Michel Lejoyeux ◽

Marie-Pia d’Ortho ◽

Pierre A. Geoffroy

Keyword(s):

Psychiatric Disorder ◽

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Mood Disorders ◽

Psychotic Disorders ◽

Stress Disorders ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Therapeutic Implications ◽

History Of ◽

Nightmare Treatment

Chronic nightmares are very common in psychiatric disorders, affecting up to 70% of patients with personality or post-traumatic stress disorders. In other psychiatric disorders, the relationships with nightmares are poorly known. This review aimed to clarify the relationship between nightmares and both mood and psychotic disorders. We performed a systematic literature search using the PubMed, Cochrane Library and PsycINFO databases until December 2019, to identify studies of patients suffering from either a mood disorder or a psychotic disorder associated with nightmares. From the 1145 articles screened, 24 were retained, including 9 studies with patients with mood disorders, 11 studies with patients with psychotic disorders and 4 studies with either psychotic or mood disorders. Nightmares were more frequent in individuals with mood or psychotic disorders than in healthy controls (more than two-fold). Patients with frequent nightmares had higher suicidality scores and had more frequently a history of suicide attempt. The distress associated with nightmares, rather than the frequency of nightmares, was associated with the severity of the psychiatric disorder. Further studies assessing whether nightmare treatment not only improves patient–sleep perception but also improves underlying psychiatric diseases are needed. In conclusion, nightmares are overrepresented in mood and psychotic disorders, with the frequency associated with suicidal behaviors and the distress associated with the psychiatric disorder severity. These findings emphasize major clinical and therapeutic implications.

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Candidate genes and single-nucleotide gene variants associated with muscle and tendon injuries in cyclic sports athletes

Personalized Psychiatry and Neurology ◽

10.52667/2712-9179-2021-1-1-64-72 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 64-72

Author(s):

O. V. Balberova

Keyword(s):

Candidate Genes ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Sports Injuries ◽

Tendon Injury ◽

Tendon Injuries ◽

Single Nucleotide Variants ◽

Single Nucleotide ◽

Col1a1 Gene ◽

Complex Interactions ◽

Gdf5 Gene

Sports injuries prevention is one of the key issues of the training process and reducing the risk of developing anxiety and depressive disorders in professional athletes. One of peculiarities of sports injuries is the loss of the ability to train in view of the tendon-ligamentous apparatus integrity, joints, muscles or bones violation. In cyclic sports, the most common are injuries to the ankle joint, injuries to muscles and tendons, and sprains. Injuries to ligaments and tendons are the result of multifactorial problems, including the discrepancy between training effects and the genetically determined capabilities of the athlete's body. Sports injuries consequences are determined by complex interactions between the athlete's genotype and environmental factors, in particular training influences. (1) Background: to review scientific articles on the problem of research on candidate genes and single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) of genes associated with muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries in cyclic sports athletes. (2) Methods: a search of articles for the period from 2008 to 2020 was conducted in the databases e-LIBRARY, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Clinical keys, PubMed using the keywords: personalized medicine, genetics, candidate genes, single-nucleotide variant, polymorphism, muscle, tendon, injury, athlete. (3) Results: Studies have shown that muscle and tendon injuries in cyclical sports athletes are associated with SNV rs1800012, rs1107946 of the COL1A1 gene, SNV rs12722 of the COL5A1 gene, SNV rs679620 of the MMR3 gene, SNV rs2289360 of the ELN gene, SNV rs143383 of the GDF5 gene. The most studied polymorphisms are rs1800012, rs1107946 of the COL1A1 gene, rs12722 of the COL5A1 gene, and rs143383 of the GDF5 gene. The variable results of associative genetic studies and genome-wide studies are most likely due to the racial and ethnic heterogeneity of the samples and differences in the study design. (4) Conclusions: Identification of genetic markers associated with injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, ligamentous apparatus, and the ability of tissue to regenerate can help sports doctors and coaches develop personalized strategies to prevent or reduce muscles, joints, and ligaments diseases in athletes. The translation of these research results into the training and treatment process is important for improving cyclic sports athletes' performance, reducing their professional mala-daptation and anxiety and depressive disorders development risk.

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Trim the fat: the role of omega-3 fatty acids in psychopharmacology

Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology ◽

10.1177/2045125319869791 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 204512531986979 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Madeeha Nasir ◽

Michael H. Bloch

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Psychotic Disorders ◽

Treatment Guidelines ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Unipolar Depression ◽

Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Content Ratio

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) currently recommends the use of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for depressive disorders, impulse-control disorders, and psychotic disorders in treatment guidelines. This review examines the evidence for efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids in depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and psychosis. Meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials of omega-3 fatty acids for depression are inconclusive, with strong evidence of publication bias, sizable heterogeneity between included studies, and substantial methodological shortcomings in included trials. The large amount of heterogeneity in findings of RCTs of omega-3 fatty acids for unipolar depression is likely attributable to highly heterogeneous sample populations that are given different omega-3 supplements [which differ widely in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content, ratio, and dosage] as either adjunctive or monotherapy of other existing treatments, and then measure several different outcomes of depression symptomatology with likely incomplete blinding. Evidence of efficacy of omega-3 supplementation in treating psychosis, PTSD, anxiety, and bipolar mania is minimal. The current guidelines recommending the use of omega-3 fatty acids in adulthood psychiatric conditions should be revisited, especially given several recent negative studies examining the effects of omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular disease. Recommending likely ineffective treatment to patients, no matter how benign the side-effect profile, has opportunity cost (e.g. other more effective medications or therapies not being utilized) and likely affects patient compliance with other evidence-based treatments.

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The Role of HPA Axis and Allopregnanolone on the Neurobiology of Major Depressive Disorders and PTSD

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22115495 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (11) ◽

pp. 5495

Author(s):

Felipe Borges Almeida ◽

Graziano Pinna ◽

Helena Maria Tannhauser Barros

Keyword(s):

Hpa Axis ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Major Depressive ◽

Physiological Adaptations ◽

Suppression Test ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

Major Depressive Disorders ◽

Cortisol Release

Under stressful conditions, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis acts to promote transitory physiological adaptations that are often resolved after the stressful stimulus is no longer present. In addition to corticosteroids (e.g., cortisol), the neurosteroid allopregnanolone (3α,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone, 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one) participates in negative feedback mechanisms that restore homeostasis. Chronic, repeated exposure to stress impairs the responsivity of the HPA axis and dampens allopregnanolone levels, participating in the etiopathology of psychiatric disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). MDD and PTSD patients present abnormalities in the HPA axis regulation, such as altered cortisol levels or failure to suppress cortisol release in the dexamethasone suppression test. Herein, we review the neurophysiological role of allopregnanolone both as a potent and positive GABAergic neuromodulator but also in its capacity of inhibiting the HPA axis. The allopregnanolone function in the mechanisms that recapitulate stress-induced pathophysiology, including MDD and PTSD, and its potential as both a treatment target and as a biomarker for these disorders is discussed.

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Mental Disorders and the Use of Psychotropic Drugs in an 85-Year-Old Urban Population

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610293001371 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 33-48 ◽

Cited By ~ 80

Author(s):

Ingmar Skoog ◽

Lars Nilsson ◽

Sten Landahl ◽

Bertil Steen

Keyword(s):

Drug Therapy ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Anxiety Disorders ◽

Mental Disorder ◽

Psychotropic Drug ◽

Psychotropic Drugs ◽

Urban Population ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Psychotic Disorders ◽

Antidepressant Drug

The prevalence of mental disorders was studied in a representative sample of 85-year-old living in Gothenburg, Sweden, (n=494). All subjects were examined by a psychiatrist, whose diagnoses were defined according to the DSM-III-R criteria. In the sample, the prevalence of dementia was 29.8%, and of any other mental disorder was 24.3%. Psychotic disorders were present in 4.7%, depressive disorders in 12.6%, and anxiety disorders in 10.5%. Anxiety disorders were more common in women than in men. Of all subjects, 42.5% used a psychotropic drug (men 30.1%, women 47.6%, p<0.001), 34.2% used anxiolytic-sedatives, 14.0% used antidepressants, and 5.7% used neuroleptics. Women used significantly more anxiolytic-sedatives and antidepressants than did men. Of those with no mental disorders, 29.1% used a psychotropic drug. Although the prescription of psychotropic drugs was high, only one fifth of those with depressive disorders received antidepressant drug therapy and one tenth of those with psychotic disorders received neuroleptics.

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SARS-CoV-2 Infection-Induced Promoter Hypomethylation as an Epigenetic Modulator of Heat Shock Protein A1L (HSPA1L) Gene

Frontiers in Genetics ◽

10.3389/fgene.2021.622271 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Jibran Sualeh Muhammad ◽

Narjes Saheb Sharif-Askari ◽

Zheng-Guo Cui ◽

Mawieh Hamad ◽

Rabih Halwani

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cells ◽

Mrna Expression ◽

Candidate Genes ◽

Epigenetic Regulation ◽

Dna Methyltransferases ◽

Lung Epithelial Cells ◽

Potential Candidate ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Lung Epithelial

Numerous researches have focused on the genetic variations affecting SARS-CoV-2 infection, whereas the epigenetic effects are inadequately described. In this report, for the first time, we have identified potential candidate genes that might be regulated via SARS-CoV-2 induced DNA methylation changes in COVID-19 infection. At first, in silico transcriptomic data of COVID-19 lung autopsies were used to identify the top differentially expressed genes containing CpG Islands in their promoter region. Similar gene regulations were also observed in an in vitro model of SARS-CoV-2 infected lung epithelial cells (NHBE and A549). SARS-CoV-2 infection significantly decreased the levels of DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B) in lung epithelial cells. Out of 14 candidate genes identified, the expression of 12 genes was upregulated suggesting promoter hypomethylation, while only two genes were downregulated suggesting promoter hypermethylation in COVID-19. Among those 12 upregulated genes, only HSPA1L and ULBP2 were found to be upregulated in AZA-treated lung epithelial cells and immune cells, suggesting their epigenetic regulation. To confirm the hypomethylation of these two genes during SARS-CoV-2 infection, their promoter methylation and mRNA expression levels were determined in the genomic DNA/RNA obtained from whole blood samples of asymptomatic, severe COVID-19 patients and equally matched healthy controls. The methylation level of HSPA1L was significantly decreased and the mRNA expression was increased in both asymptomatic and severe COVID-19 blood samples suggesting its epigenetic regulation by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Functionally, HSPA1L is known to facilitate host viral replication and has been proposed as a potential target for antiviral prophylaxis and treatment.

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COVID-19 and Psychological Effects: A Review in Clinical Psychology Perspective

Nesne Psikoloji Dergisi ◽

10.7816/nesne-08-18-14 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (18) ◽

Keyword(s):

Anxiety Disorders ◽

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Psychological Disorders ◽

Psychological Effects ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

The Media ◽

Post Traumatic

The purpose of this review study is to examine the psychological effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on individuals in different groups. When the literature is examined, it can be stated that this epidemic causes negative emotional reactions such as anxiety, fear, and anger in adults, increases stress levels, increases their susceptibility to psychological disorders such as anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, and causes suicidal thoughts and insomnia. It can be stated that fear and anxiety are experienced intensely in children and adolescents, anxiety disorders increase, and their parents need to make explanations appropriate to their children's cognitive levels to prevent these disorders. It is indicated that health workers struggling with the epidemic on the field have symptoms related to anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depressive disorders. They experience sleep disorders and their effective problem-solving skills decrease due to the stress and conflicts they experience. In the light of this information, it can be thought that it is important that health authorities and the media emphasize issues such as raising awareness about symptoms related to psychological disorders, activities that support psychological health, and the importance of receiving psychological support when necessary. In the last part of the study, it was aimed to make suggestions for future research about pandemic related psychological disorders in our country. In this context, it has been suggested that studies can be carried out related to exposure to traumatic contents in the media, curfew, how being in certain age groups affect individuals, the effectiveness of primary and secondary prevention interventions and various psychological interventions, and the effective use of social support mechanisms in the pandemic process. Keywords COVID-19, psychological effects, psychological disorders, clinical psychology, post traumatic stress disorder

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“Its Hand around My Throat”. The Social Rendering of Borrelia

Relations ◽

10.7358/rela-2020-0102-sonc ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1-2) ◽

Author(s):

Ritti Soncco

Keyword(s):

Lyme Disease ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Patient Narratives ◽

The Social ◽

Body Dysmorphia ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

The Impact

This paper builds on biomedical and anthropological discourses of microbial agency to explore the important opportunities this discourse offers medicine, politics, anthropology, and patients. “Borrelia burgdorferi”, often termed “the Great Imitator”, is an ideal candidate for this discussion as it reveals how difficult it is to speak about Lyme disease without engaging with microbial agency. Based on 12-months research with Lyme disease patients and clinicians in Scotland, this paper offers a social rendering of the bacteria that reveals epistemologies of illness not available in medical accounts: the impact of social and psychological symptoms such as body dysmorphia, depression, shame, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide-related deaths on patients’ illness narratives. Divorcing agency from the bacteria silences these important patient narratives with the consequence of a limited medical and social understanding of the signification of Lyme disease and the holistic methods needed for treatment. This paper furthermore argues that the inclusion of patient worldings of Borrelia acting in the medical renderings offers a democratic determination of what the illness is. Finally, building on Giraldo Herrera and Cadena, I argue for a decolonization of Borrelia, exploring how the pluriverse both takes the epistemologies of patients seriously and reveals medical equivocation.

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Correlation of adverse childhood experiences with psychiatric disorders and aggressiveness in adulthood

Vojnosanitetski pregled ◽

10.2298/vsp1008653s ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 67 (8) ◽

pp. 653-658 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ljiljana Samardzic ◽

Gordana Nikolic ◽

Grozdanko Grbesa ◽

Maja Simonovic ◽

Tatjana Milenkovic

Keyword(s):

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽

Psychotic Disorders ◽

Psychiatric Patients ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Healthy Individuals ◽

Childhood Experiences ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Adverse Childhood ◽

Significant Difference

Background/Aim. Consequences of individual adverse childhood experiences for adult mental health have been precisely studied during past decades. The focus of past research was mainly on childhood maltreatment and neglect. The aim of this paper was to determine association between multiple adverse childhood experiences and psychiatric disorders, as well as their correlation to the degree and type of aggressiveness in adult psychiatric patients. Methods. One hundred and thirteen psychiatric outpatients were divided into three diagnostic groups: psychotics, non-psychotics and alcoholics and compared with fourty healthy individuals. Adverse childhood experiences data were gathered retrospectively, using the Adverse childhood experiences questionnaire and explanatory interview. Aggressiveness was assessed using Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire. The Student's t test, ANOVA and correlational analysis were used for evaluation of statistical significance of differences among the groups. A value p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. Our results showed that the mean number of adverse childhood experiences in each group of psychiatric patients, as well as in the whole group of patients, was statistically significantly higher than in the group of healthy individuals (p < 0.001); there was a statistically significant difference in score of physical aggressiveness between the patients exposed to adverse childhood experiences and those who were not exposed to them (p < 0.05); scores of physical aggressiveness were in positive correlation with the number of adverse childhood experiences (p < 0.05). The highest mean score of adverse childhood experiences was evidenced in the group of patients with psychotic disorders. Conclusion. Multiple adverse childhood experiences are significantly associated with psychotic disorders, nonpsychotic disorders and alcohol dependence in adulthood and their presence is important morbidity risk factor for psychiatric disorders. They are in positive correlation with physical aggressiveness of the patients from these diagnostic groups.

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