Genetic Alterations in War-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review

Objectives: This systematic review explored gene expression and DNA methylation patterns to identify key pathways and molecular targets associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly its war-related subtype.Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science wa...

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Main Authors: Amir Hossein Rajabi, Samaneh Zafarabadi, Kimia Jazi, Maryam Moghbel Baerz, Omid Bahrami, Gelareh Azarinoush, Pardis Habibi, Negar Azami, Shahram Paydar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences 2025-01-01
Series:Bulletin of Emergency and Trauma
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Online Access:https://beat.sums.ac.ir/article_50780_4bce2ab4af876bdc6b5a8da8eede304b.pdf
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author Amir Hossein Rajabi
Samaneh Zafarabadi
Kimia Jazi
Maryam Moghbel Baerz
Omid Bahrami
Gelareh Azarinoush
Pardis Habibi
Negar Azami
Shahram Paydar
author_facet Amir Hossein Rajabi
Samaneh Zafarabadi
Kimia Jazi
Maryam Moghbel Baerz
Omid Bahrami
Gelareh Azarinoush
Pardis Habibi
Negar Azami
Shahram Paydar
author_sort Amir Hossein Rajabi
collection DOAJ
description Objectives: This systematic review explored gene expression and DNA methylation patterns to identify key pathways and molecular targets associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly its war-related subtype.Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted using keywords related to PTSD, gene expression, and DNA methylation. Studies published between 2000 to 2024 involving adult military personnel with confirmed PTSD based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) criteria were included. Animal studies, psychological interventions, and pharmacological research were excluded. Only cross-sectional, case-control, or cohort studies utilizing blood, saliva, or brain tissue samples were considered. Data from 28 studies were extracted using a predefined framework, focusing on population characteristics, study design, and identified hub genes.Results: Key findings revealed the upregulation of immune-related genes (e.g., CCL4, NF-κB) and hypomethylation of inflammation-related genes. Downregulation of neurodevelopmental genes, such as Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF) and Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (DSCAM), highlighted disruptions in synaptic plasticity. The identified pathways suggested potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for precision medicine approaches.Conclusion: This review highlighted the role of gene expression alterations in war-related PTSD. The identified genes might serve as candidates for personalized therapies. Further research is required to validate these findings and develop targeted interventions.
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publisher Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
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spelling doaj-art-d90f815bd6b74e4a8b6b4cffca1b3eb12025-08-20T02:25:44ZengShiraz University of Medical SciencesBulletin of Emergency and Trauma2322-25222322-39602025-01-0113111910.30476/beat.2025.105114.156050780Genetic Alterations in War-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic ReviewAmir Hossein Rajabi0Samaneh Zafarabadi1Kimia Jazi2Maryam Moghbel Baerz3Omid Bahrami4Gelareh Azarinoush5Pardis Habibi6Negar Azami7Shahram Paydar8Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranStudent Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranResearch and Development Center, Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran1. Brain Mapping Research Center, Research Institute of Functional Neurosurgery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences 2. Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranSchool of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranResearch and Development Center, Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran1. Research Center for Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran 2. Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranUniversal Scientific Education and Research Network, Tehran, IranTrauma Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranObjectives: This systematic review explored gene expression and DNA methylation patterns to identify key pathways and molecular targets associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly its war-related subtype.Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted using keywords related to PTSD, gene expression, and DNA methylation. Studies published between 2000 to 2024 involving adult military personnel with confirmed PTSD based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) criteria were included. Animal studies, psychological interventions, and pharmacological research were excluded. Only cross-sectional, case-control, or cohort studies utilizing blood, saliva, or brain tissue samples were considered. Data from 28 studies were extracted using a predefined framework, focusing on population characteristics, study design, and identified hub genes.Results: Key findings revealed the upregulation of immune-related genes (e.g., CCL4, NF-κB) and hypomethylation of inflammation-related genes. Downregulation of neurodevelopmental genes, such as Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF) and Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (DSCAM), highlighted disruptions in synaptic plasticity. The identified pathways suggested potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for precision medicine approaches.Conclusion: This review highlighted the role of gene expression alterations in war-related PTSD. The identified genes might serve as candidates for personalized therapies. Further research is required to validate these findings and develop targeted interventions.https://beat.sums.ac.ir/article_50780_4bce2ab4af876bdc6b5a8da8eede304b.pdfpost-traumatic stress disordergenomicscombat disorders
spellingShingle Amir Hossein Rajabi
Samaneh Zafarabadi
Kimia Jazi
Maryam Moghbel Baerz
Omid Bahrami
Gelareh Azarinoush
Pardis Habibi
Negar Azami
Shahram Paydar
Genetic Alterations in War-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review
Bulletin of Emergency and Trauma
post-traumatic stress disorder
genomics
combat disorders
title Genetic Alterations in War-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review
title_full Genetic Alterations in War-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr Genetic Alterations in War-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Genetic Alterations in War-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review
title_short Genetic Alterations in War-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review
title_sort genetic alterations in war related post traumatic stress disorder a systematic review
topic post-traumatic stress disorder
genomics
combat disorders
url https://beat.sums.ac.ir/article_50780_4bce2ab4af876bdc6b5a8da8eede304b.pdf
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