Project Summary

Zhewu J. Wang, M.D. (Young Investigator 2004) of Psychiatric Professional Services, Inc./University of Cincinnati, proposes studying whether variants in a serotonin transporter gene, SLC6A4, increase an individual’s susceptibility to trauma-related psychopathology. While most people stressed by trauma remain healthy, others get psychiatric disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Preliminary data from Dr. Wang’s laboratory show a role for certain variants of SLC6A4 in the vulnerability to increased trauma-related psychopathology. In the planned project, Dr. Wang will investigate SLC6A4 promoter polymorphism in PTSD, PTSD with depression, and controls. The laboratory also will screen the entire gene for single nucleotide polymorphisms to identify additional, as yet unrecognized, variants that may predispose an individual to developing trauma-related psychopathology. Dr. Wang believes that this would be the first project to investigate how gene variants influence individual predisposition to PTSD. Results could lead to a better understanding of genetic vulnerability to PTSD.

Program Area: ANXIETY DISORDERS\Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Search Again