Citation

Young DA, Inslicht SS, Metzler TJ, Neylan TC, Ross JA. Psychiatry Res. 2018; 270: 961-966.

Affiliation

Department of Mental Health, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 4150 Clement St. Bldg. 8., San Francisco, CA 94121, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.psychres.2018.03.037

PMID

29576410

Abstract

Previous research indicates that interactions between FKBP5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and child abuse are associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adulthood. We examined the relationship between the T-allele of the rs1360780 FKBP5 SNP and child abuse on PTSD and the HPA axis in a clinical sample of Gulf War veterans. Genotyping was completed on 266 veterans and 174 veterans additionally participated in a low dose dexamethasone suppression test (DST). The CAPS was used to determine PTSD status and the THQ was used to determine child abuse operationalized as either childhood physical or sexual abuse. Hierarchical regression models were used to assess FKBP5 × child abuse interactions on PTSD, basal cortisol levels, and post DST cortisol levels. The FKBP5 risk allele and child abuse were separately associated with PTSD diagnosis. The risk allele was also associated with significantly lower cortisol levels at baseline. However, no significant FKBP5 × child abuse interaction on PTSD diagnosis, basal cortisol levels, or greater cortisol suppression was observed. Our results suggest that FKBP5 may be a viable biomarker for PTSD. Nonetheless, further work will be required to reconcile our findings with previous reports of an FKBP5 × child abuse interaction on posttraumatic stress response.

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Cortisol; Dexamethasone suppression test; Gene × environment interactions; Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; PTSD; Trauma