Childhood maltreatment and DNA methylation: A systematic review.

Child maltreatment (CM) encompasses sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic and family violence. Epigenetic research investigating CM has focused on differential DNA methylation (DNAm) in genes associated with the stress response, but there has been limited evaluation of the specific effects of subtypes of CM. This systematic review of literature investigating DNAm associated with CM in non-clinical populations aimed to summarise the approaches currently used in research, how the type of maltreatment and age of exposure were encoded via methylation, and which genes have consistently been associated with CM.

Recalibrating the epigenetic clock after exposure to trauma: The role of risk and protective psychosocial factors.

Background: Epigenetic aging is associated with a plethora of negative health outcomes and increased mortality. Yet, the dynamicity of epigenetic age after exposure to trauma and the factors that influence epigenetic age are not fully understood. This research evaluated longitudinal changes in epigenetic age before and after exposure to work-related trauma among paramedicine students.

DNA methylation of NR3C1 and FKBP5 is associated with posttraumatic stress disorder, posttraumatic growth, and resilience.

Objective: Understandings of the biological mechanisms underpinning posttrauma responses are limited. This pilot study aimed to expand research in this area by examining the relationship between DNA methylation of stress genes nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 1 () and FK06 binding protein 5 () with an array of posttrauma responses of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity, posttraumatic growth (PTG), and resilience.

Method: First-year paramedicine students ( = 47) completed self-report measures of PTSD symptom severity, PTG, and resilience and provided a saliva sample for methylation analysis.

A Systematic Review of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression Studies in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Posttraumatic Growth, and Resilience.

Most people will experience a traumatic event within their lifetime. One commonly recognized response to trauma exposure is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The biological underpinnings of PTSD, including epigenetic mechanisms of DNA methylation and gene expression, have been studied intensively.

DNA methylation from germline cells in veterans with PTSD.

In this study we investigated genome-wide sperm DNA methylation patterns in trauma-exposed Vietnam veterans. At the genome-wide level, we identified 3 CpG sites associated with PTSD in sperm including two intergenic and one CpG within the CCDC88C gene. Of those associated with PTSD in sperm at a nominal level, 1868 CpGs were also associated with PTSD in peripheral blood (5.

Differential BDNF methylation in combat exposed veterans and the association with exercise.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene is associated with increased risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and plays a role in neuroplasticity, cognition and memory. BDNF has strong potential as a therapeutic target as studies have shown that antidepressants, electroconvulsive treatment and exercise modulate BDNF expression and methylation. In this study we examined the role of BDNF methylation and expression in PTSD and the implications of exercise in mediating these effects.

Transcriptome analysis reveals novel genes and immune networks dysregulated in veterans with PTSD.

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious condition that emerges following trauma exposure and involves long-lasting psychological suffering and health-issues. Uncovering critical genes and molecular networks is essential to understanding the biology of the disorder. We performed a genome-wide scan to identify transcriptome signatures of PTSD.

Accelerated DNA methylation aging and increased resilience in veterans: The biological cost for soldiering on.

Accelerated epigenetic aging, the difference between the DNA methylation-predicted age (DNAm age) and the chronological age, is associated with a myriad of diseases. This study investigates the relationship between epigenetic aging and risk and protective factors of PTSD. Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis was performed in 211 individuals including combat-exposed Australian veterans (discovery cohort, n = 96 males) and trauma-exposed civilian males from the Grady Trauma Project (replication cohort, n = 115 males).

Correlation between interferon γ and interleukin 6 with PTSD and resilience.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychiatric disorder with decreased general health prognosis and increased mortality. Inflammation has been hypothesised to be a link between PTSD and the most common co-morbid medical disorders. However, the relationship between inflammation and PTSD is not clear.

Genomewide DNA methylation analysis in combat veterans reveals a novel locus for PTSD.

Objective: Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation may play a key role in the aetiology and serve as biomarkers for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We performed a genomewide analysis to identify genes whose DNA methylation levels are associated with PTSD.

Method: A total of 211 individuals comprising Australian male Vietnam War veterans (n = 96) and males from a general population belonging to the Grady Trauma Project (n = 115) were included.

Nitric oxide pathway genes (NOS1AP and NOS1) are involved in PTSD severity, depression, anxiety, stress and resilience.

The nitric oxide pathway in the hippocampus is involved in the biological stress response with detrimental consequences to cells and HPA axis feedback. Hippocampal atrophy and HPA axis feedback dysfunction are associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study systematically investigates two genes of the nitric oxide pathway NOS1AP and NOS1 for a potential involvement in PTSD, comorbidities and resilience.

Genetic and serum biomarker evidence for a relationship between TNFα and PTSD in Vietnam war combat veterans.

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with increased inflammation and comorbid medical conditions. However, study findings for individual inflammatory marker levels have been inconsistent. Some research suggests that resilience may play a role in decreased inflammation.

A Case-Control Study and Meta-Analysis Reveal BDNF Val66Met Is a Possible Risk Factor for PTSD.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition that develops in some people after exposure to a traumatic event. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is highly expressed in the mammalian brain and is thought to be involved in learning and memory processes. A nonsynonymous polymorphism in the BDNF gene, rs6265 (Val66Met), has been hypothesised to be associated with PTSD.

Subclinical psychotic experiences in healthy young adults: associations with stress and genetic predisposition.

Stress has been identified as a common trigger for psychosis. Dopamine pathways are suggested to be affected by chronic and severe stress and to play an important role in psychosis. This pilot study investigates the potential relationship of stress and psychosis in subclinical psychotic experiences.