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Research Article

Epigenetic meta-analysis across three civilian cohorts identifies NRG1 and HGS as blood-based biomarkers for post-traumatic stress disorder

    Monica Uddin

    *Author for correspondence:

    E-mail Address: muddin@illinois.edu

    Carl R Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801, USA

    Department of Psychology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 603 East Daniel St, Champaign, IL 61820, USA

    ,
    Andrew Ratanatharathorn

    Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th St, NY 10032, USA

    ,
    Don Armstrong

    Carl R Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801, USA

    ,
    Pei-Fen Kuan

    Department of Applied Mathematics & Statistics, Stony Brook University, John S Toll Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA

    ,
    Allison E Aiello

    Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA

    ,
    Evelyn J Bromet

    Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, 101 Nicolls Rd, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA

    ,
    Sandro Galea

    Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany St, Boston, MA 02118, USA

    ,
    Karestan C Koenen

    Department of Epidemiology, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA

    Psychiatic & Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit & Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Simches Research Building, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA

    Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA

    ,
    Benjamin Luft

    Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, 101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA

    ,
    Kerry J Ressler

    Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA

    ,
    Derek E Wildman

    Carl R Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1206 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801, USA

    Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 407 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA

    ,
    Caroline M Nievergelt

    Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA

    VA Center of Excellence for Stress & Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92161, USA

    &
    Alicia Smith

    Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences & Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Emory University School of Medicine, 100 Woodruff Circle, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA

    Published Online:https://doi.org/10.2217/epi-2018-0049

    Aim: Trauma exposure is a necessary, but not deterministic, contributor to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Epigenetic factors may distinguish between trauma-exposed individuals with versus without PTSD. Materials & methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of PTSD epigenome-wide association studies in trauma-exposed cohorts drawn from civilian contexts. Whole blood-derived DNA methylation levels were analyzed in 545 study participants, drawn from the three civilian cohorts participating in the PTSD working group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. Results: Two CpG sites significantly associated with current PTSD in NRG1 (cg23637605) and in HGS (cg19577098). Conclusion: PTSD is associated with differential methylation, measured in blood, within HGS and NRG1 across three civilian cohorts.

    Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest; •• of considerable interest

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