Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a stress-related mental disorder and develops after exposure to life-threatening traumatic experiences. The risk factors of PTSD included genetic factors; alterations in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis; neurotrophic, serotonergic, dopaminergic, and catecholaminergic systems; and a variety of environmental factors, such as war, accident, natural disaster, pandemic, physical, or sexual abuse, that cause stress or trauma in individuals. To be able to understand the molecular background of PTSD, rodent animal models are widely used by researchers. When looking for a solution for PTSD, it is important to consider preexisting genetic risk factors and physiological, molecular, and biochemical processes caused by trauma that may cause susceptibility to this disorder. In studies, it is reported that epigenetic mechanisms play important roles in the biological response affected by environmental factors, as well as the task of programming cell identity. In this article, we provided an overview of the role of epigenetic modifications in understanding the biology of PTSD. We also summarized the data from animal studies and their importance during the investigation of PTSD. This study shed light on the epigenetic background of stress and PTSD.
Highlights
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is among the stress-related mental disorders, develops after exposure to life-threatening traumatic experiences
Both physical and social stress factors produce behavioral and neuroendocrine changes observed in PTSD, most of the relevant models do not take into account that people show different responses to trauma, some individuals are sensitive to PTSD, and some are resistant
In a study using a rodent model of PTSD, it was shown that histone hyperacetylation was triggered in LA after ingestion of fear memory inhibitors.[40]
Summary
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is among the stress-related mental disorders, develops after exposure to life-threatening traumatic experiences. After different combinations of procedures, animals display impaired habituation behaviors in their new environment.[24] It is possible to induce PTSD-like symptoms using social isolation and maternal separation (early life stress model) such as the random cage change made in the HI model.[25,26] In the social defeat-SD model, which is used to trigger-off avoidance behavior among PTSD symptoms, subjects are exposed to a single aggressive animal.[27,28] both physical and social stress factors produce behavioral and neuroendocrine changes observed in PTSD, most of the relevant models do not take into account that people show different responses to trauma, some individuals are sensitive to PTSD, and some are resistant. The epigenome is one of the susceptibility factors which contributes to PTSD.[33,34]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
