Epigenetic factors in posttraumatic stress disorder resilience and susceptibility

Abstract Background Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects approximately 8% of the US population, with varying susceptibility among individuals exposed to trauma. While genetic factors contribute to PTSD risk, emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic mechanisms play a crucial role in transla...

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Main Authors: Tamer A. Addissouky, Ibrahim El Tantawy El Sayed, Yuliang Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-03-01
Series:Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43042-025-00684-w
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author Tamer A. Addissouky
Ibrahim El Tantawy El Sayed
Yuliang Wang
author_facet Tamer A. Addissouky
Ibrahim El Tantawy El Sayed
Yuliang Wang
author_sort Tamer A. Addissouky
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects approximately 8% of the US population, with varying susceptibility among individuals exposed to trauma. While genetic factors contribute to PTSD risk, emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic mechanisms play a crucial role in translating environmental exposures into lasting neurobiological changes. Purpose This review provides a comprehensive analysis of cutting-edge research on epigenetic factors in PTSD, with particular emphasis on novel findings regarding resilience and susceptibility mechanisms. We explore recent technological advances in epigenetic research and their applications in understanding PTSD pathophysiology. Main body Advanced epigenomic approaches have revealed complex interactions between DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs in PTSD. Novel findings highlight cell type-specific epigenetic signatures and their temporal dynamics following trauma exposure. Single-cell epigenomic studies have identified previously unknown cellular heterogeneity in stress responses. Recent data suggests that epigenetic modifications not only influence individual susceptibility but may also contribute to transgenerational transmission of trauma effects. Integrative multi-omics approaches have revealed new insights into the molecular networks underlying PTSD resilience and vulnerability. Conclusion Recent technological advances in epigenetic research have revealed unprecedented complexity in the molecular mechanisms of PTSD. These findings open new avenues for personalized interventions based on individual epigenetic profiles and suggest novel therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic modifications. This enhanced understanding of epigenetic factors in PTSD has significant implications for risk assessment, prevention, and treatment. Graphical abstract
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spelling doaj-art-ef80657af9b14de99c3c34e4239bf0d22025-08-20T02:41:34ZengSpringerOpenEgyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics2090-24412025-03-0126111710.1186/s43042-025-00684-wEpigenetic factors in posttraumatic stress disorder resilience and susceptibilityTamer A. Addissouky0Ibrahim El Tantawy El Sayed1Yuliang Wang2Medical Laboratories Techniques Department, College of Technology and Health Sciences, AL-Mustaqbal UniversityDepartment of Chemistry, Biochemistry Branch, Science Faculty, Menoufia UniversitySchool of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityAbstract Background Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects approximately 8% of the US population, with varying susceptibility among individuals exposed to trauma. While genetic factors contribute to PTSD risk, emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic mechanisms play a crucial role in translating environmental exposures into lasting neurobiological changes. Purpose This review provides a comprehensive analysis of cutting-edge research on epigenetic factors in PTSD, with particular emphasis on novel findings regarding resilience and susceptibility mechanisms. We explore recent technological advances in epigenetic research and their applications in understanding PTSD pathophysiology. Main body Advanced epigenomic approaches have revealed complex interactions between DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs in PTSD. Novel findings highlight cell type-specific epigenetic signatures and their temporal dynamics following trauma exposure. Single-cell epigenomic studies have identified previously unknown cellular heterogeneity in stress responses. Recent data suggests that epigenetic modifications not only influence individual susceptibility but may also contribute to transgenerational transmission of trauma effects. Integrative multi-omics approaches have revealed new insights into the molecular networks underlying PTSD resilience and vulnerability. Conclusion Recent technological advances in epigenetic research have revealed unprecedented complexity in the molecular mechanisms of PTSD. These findings open new avenues for personalized interventions based on individual epigenetic profiles and suggest novel therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic modifications. This enhanced understanding of epigenetic factors in PTSD has significant implications for risk assessment, prevention, and treatment. Graphical abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s43042-025-00684-wPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)EpigeneticsDNA MethylationHistone modificationsEnvironmental exposures
spellingShingle Tamer A. Addissouky
Ibrahim El Tantawy El Sayed
Yuliang Wang
Epigenetic factors in posttraumatic stress disorder resilience and susceptibility
Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Epigenetics
DNA Methylation
Histone modifications
Environmental exposures
title Epigenetic factors in posttraumatic stress disorder resilience and susceptibility
title_full Epigenetic factors in posttraumatic stress disorder resilience and susceptibility
title_fullStr Epigenetic factors in posttraumatic stress disorder resilience and susceptibility
title_full_unstemmed Epigenetic factors in posttraumatic stress disorder resilience and susceptibility
title_short Epigenetic factors in posttraumatic stress disorder resilience and susceptibility
title_sort epigenetic factors in posttraumatic stress disorder resilience and susceptibility
topic Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Epigenetics
DNA Methylation
Histone modifications
Environmental exposures
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43042-025-00684-w
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AT ibrahimeltantawyelsayed epigeneticfactorsinposttraumaticstressdisorderresilienceandsusceptibility
AT yuliangwang epigeneticfactorsinposttraumaticstressdisorderresilienceandsusceptibility