Current Views on the Genetic Markers of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

The article summarizes empirical studies on the problem of genetic predisposition to post-traumatic stress disorder. It is showed that the development of some symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder is caused by neurobiological mechanisms, the functioning of which depends on the expression of specific genes. Differences in the effectiveness of the use of certain types of psychological assistance can also be associated with the influence of genetic factors. A review of the most relevant patterns is presented. More specifically, this is the effect of the gene of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as well as the genes of serotonergic (SLC6A4, SLC6A3), dopaminergic (DRD2, COMT), hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (FKBP5, ADCYAP1) systems on the manifestation of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Based on the results of genome-wide association studies, assumptions are made about the role of genes (RORA, NLGN1, TLL-1, PARK2, PODXL, SH3RF3, and ZDHHC14) in the pathophysiology of post-traumatic stress disorder. The issue of the applicability of genetic testing in the practice of psychological assistance to individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder is considered. The question of the applicability of genetic testing to improve the diagnosis and development of a personalized strategy for clinical and psychological intervention is discussed.