NET - Genetics of PTSD: Genetic characteristics of patients with and without symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder following an intensive care experience

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

NET-Genetics of PTSD is submitted as a supplementary grant application to the clinical trial NET (Narrative Exposure Therapy) -primary care -Caring for patients with traumatic stress sequelae following intensive medical care (DFG no.: GE2073). The aim of the sub-study is to confirm and add to previous genetic findings associated with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a unique and particularly well characterized population of patients recruited at Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Treatment at an ICU can be a very disturbing experience due to invasive medical procedures, ventilation, the feeling of helplessness, noise, lights, a disordered sleep rhythm, fear of dying etc. Thus, many patients suffer from long-term functional, medical, or psychological sequelae after discharge. Among psychiatric disorders, PTSD has a unique position as it is the only disorder in which the initiating factor, the trauma exposure, can be unequivocally identified. A number of genes have been described which may be associated with an increased susceptibility for PTSD. They are part of very plausible biological pathways and apparently play a role in fear conditioning, anxiety behaviour and emotionality. Regulatory systems involved include the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis or HTPA axis: response to stress), the brain serotonergic system (emotional response, anxiety), and dopaminergic neurotransmission (attention, vigilance, arousal, and sleep). Gene-environment interactions are also of great importance. Our study is among the first to investigate the genetic distinctiveness of ICU-patients with PTSD compared to ICU-patients without PTSD.