Genetic Breakthrough in PTSD Study: How would you handle knowing there is a genetic connection?

Capt Brandon Charters — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 11:55:08 -0400

This news piece below talks to a study that has begun to connect the genetic dots of PTSD. It starts off with a pretty stunning statement:

“Among 10 people that are deploying to war, we could understand who is more, and who is less vulnerable to PTSD, and can develop preventions accordingly.” - Caroline Nievergelt, PhD, of the University of San Diego, School of Medicine.

I suggest giving this a read and forming your own opinion on how we would potentially handle mobilizing forces in the future knowing there is a possible genetic connection to PTSD.

How would this be handled when entering the military? I could see it eventually being tested for on initial physicals and being a part of everyone's medical records. In command for a day, what would you do with those troops that are more likely to have PTSD?

Who Will Get PTSD? Genetic Breakthrough Brings Us Closer to Knowing

“Imagine a world in which you would be able to say, ‘Okay, 10 people want to go to war. Maybe we should only send these five.’

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Mar 11 at 2015 12:02 PM

SFC Christopher Perry — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 12:02:14 -0400

Very interesting new look at things. So there may very well be a new test looming on the horizon that could decide whether or not you raise your right hand and sign on the dotted line.

Response by 1st Lt Adam Benavides made Mar 11 at 2015 5:28 PM

1st Lt Adam Benavides — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 17:28:54 -0400

The main issue is that there needs to be more understanding of PTSD treatment. Identifying potential or actual service members with another "vulnerability" type test does not translate to actual PTSD.

We cannot undermine a potential nor an actual service member just because of a "test" that is not an 100% indicator to getting PTSD.

There are plenty of service members who do not fit certain profiles for high risk and yet they come back with PTSD issues or PTSD related issues.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Mar 11 at 2015 7:54 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 19:54:08 -0400

This is actually a very scary idea. Genetic profiling, in individual cases, such as to see if a woman has the BRCA 1 or 2 gene, is appropriate.

But this type of genetic profiling would result in preventing people from deploying, essentially ending their careers. As more of our personal information is taken out of the private sphere to the internet, and as Big Insurance continues to get bigger, this kind of thing must be prevented.

Remember George Orwell; Big Brother really is watching...

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Mar 11 at 2015 8:00 PM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 20:00:21 -0400

The impact of intergenerational PTSD is the aftermath of war that each generation is left to grapple with the unresolved memories of childhood trauma, childhood neglect and broken relationships resulting in divorce and the loss of loved ones that come back changed by war. This paper gives insight into the vicious cycle of severe physical injuries that cripple the interaction of the Veteran parents and their families. Interpersonal relationships are affected by the profound disruptive nature of trauma. The United States has a total Active-Duty military force of approximately 1.4 million, with an additional 848,000 total National Guard force and 95,324 total reserve force (Department of Defense (DOD), 2008). There are 1.3 million dependent military children, with as many as 700,000 children younger than five years (Kruzel, 2008). These are the families who live within the reality of frequent separations through peacetime deployments and combat training exercises; these are the families who wait anxiously for loved ones to return from war. http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/Military/ms0.pdf

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Mar 11 at 2015 8:04 PM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 20:04:34 -0400

Every generation in my family has served, and that being said childhood PTSD and Intergenerational PTSD impact your genetics.

Response by SGT Kevin Gardner made Mar 11 at 2015 8:32 PM

SGT Kevin Gardner — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 20:32:31 -0400

I don't know, honestly these studies tend to be designed to push a specific medical outcome. In the early 70s all these doctors came out and said that baby's born prematurely would never have their brains develop properly or to the right size, it was not till late in the 90s they discovered that every child born prematurely brain was fully developed by the age of 8 months old, another study stated that people who have a homosexual parent will also be genetically disposed to be homosexual, now having a father who happens to be homosexual I can attest to the fact I don't feel those same urges, also happens that I have a couple of friends who's fathers are also homosexual and having discussed this study with them they concur that again that is another bunk study.
There is another study that stated drug addiction is also genetic, well my moms a pill popping addict again not something I suffer from, in fact I won't even take the crap the VA gives me.
As far as PTSD I grew up in a home so twisted that me my brothers and my sister should have suffered something bad from PTSD, however after my combat tour I found that I do have PTSD, and I found writing helps me with that, yes it's still a struggle to be out in public in crowds and always having intrusive thoughts, but it is manageable.

Response by SPC David S. made Mar 11 at 2015 9:53 PM

SPC David S. — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 21:53:26 -0400

This was the premise of the movie Gattaca. There is a lot of research pointing to the telomere length. These protective caps on the ends of our chromosomes play an important role in our overall health. Each time a cell divides these guys lose a little bit in length. I bet there is a correlation between telomere length and interferons as a result of the effects on the body due to the shorter telomeres. The good news is there is some promising research in how to lenghten the telomeres. Also more importantly this might lead to not necessary a cure but a form of treatment for PTSD.

http://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2015/01/telomere-extension-turns-back-aging-clock-in-cultured-cells.html

http://www.ta65doctor.com/blog/2014/07/19/telomere-shortening-war-veterans-ptsd/

Telomere extension turns back aging clock in cultured human cells, study finds

Researchers delivered a modified RNA that encodes a telomere-extending protein to cultured human cells. Cell proliferation capacity was dramatically increased, yielding large numbers of cells for study.

Response by PFC Sandra Wade made Apr 3 at 2018 1:16 AM

PFC Sandra Wade — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 01:16:14 -0400

Another good bi product of the Gene Study/Test is that it is helpful in guiding the selection of medications for Depressions. This test may help determine how your genes can affect how your body processes medications. The way your body processes medications can lead to low or high levels of medication in the body. The level of medication is part of what determines how effective a medication can be for you and whether you have side effects.
For example. Patient is tested and finds that the current drug being used is a NO GO! No wonder that patient is suicidal ... Ran into an active duty that did the test and that was the case.
Study/Testing is ongoing. PRIME CARE. Percision Medication in Mental Health Care. Check with your MHC provider see if you might be a good candidate

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 3 at 2018 10:03 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 10:03:45 -0400

BS- develop preventions? Oh I'm genetically possible to get PTSD- so I must live in a cocoon for the rest of my life. Tons of 1st responders get PTSD- it's not the brain, its the trauma effect on the brain.