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DNA of PTSD
GENETICS OF PTSD (???)
There remains many uncertainties in the science behind the genetics involved in the heritability of PTSD. This means there are also many critics of the idea that genetics, or more precisely, epigenetics, plays a critical role in its intergenerational transmission.
The following information on this page represents a major thesis being undertaken by one researcher. It presents the culmination of many years of academic and scientific research in the field. It must be stated, that, at this stage it is merely a hypothesis - an idea - with substantial grounding in established and verified science. The author has been engaged in 5 years intensive academic PhD research to support this idea. So far the data and analysis are promising.
The following information on this page represents a major thesis being undertaken by one researcher. It presents the culmination of many years of academic and scientific research in the field. It must be stated, that, at this stage it is merely a hypothesis - an idea - with substantial grounding in established and verified science. The author has been engaged in 5 years intensive academic PhD research to support this idea. So far the data and analysis are promising.
WHAT WE DO KNOW.
The genetic triggers for ADD/ADHD have been identified on the tip of Chromosome #5 in our DNA. ADHD is recognised as one of the conditions that is perpetuated in families with PTSD (Yehuda, 2002). It is therefore conceivable that chromosome #5 may also play a significant part in the genetic transmission of other PTSD symptoms. Focus for physical and personality traits is not on the “gene” itself, but on a segment of gene that contains the base letters that build a specific protein. (GATC)
Base letters are always matched: A "G" always pairs with an "A", and a "T" with a "C". One such base letter in a higly crucial location is a G. It is known to be responsible for the development of particular personality traits. In people with different personality traits, this base letter is an A. So, in a sense, we can say there are "G" people and there are "A" people. "G" people are commonly outgoing, socially confident and healthy. "A" people are commonly shy, withdrawn and prone to illness. Evidence suggests that in the case of the sudden and dramatic personality changes associated with PTSD, this "G" may be changed into an "A" through a hormone onslaught. In effect, although the "G" always pairs with an "A", they may switch. Even the 'mismatch repair gene' can be tricked by this switch and overlook the difference. The job of this mismatch repair gene is to correct any anomolies in the sequencing of base pairs.
Evidence also suggests the first and second generation offspring to the progenitor (the first person in the family line to acquire a condition) may inherit a "fragile G" or an "A", making them succeptible to a range of anxiety and depressive conditions. Yehuda (2002) terms this as a "PTSD-prone personality" but fails to consider the genetic influences.
(NB). It is important to restate that this information has not yet been tested and proven true or false in laboratory tests....yet. These postulations have been made by the author based on the culmination of many many sources both academically and scientifically sound that have tested related phenomena.
Evidence also suggests the first and second generation offspring to the progenitor (the first person in the family line to acquire a condition) may inherit a "fragile G" or an "A", making them succeptible to a range of anxiety and depressive conditions. Yehuda (2002) terms this as a "PTSD-prone personality" but fails to consider the genetic influences.
(NB). It is important to restate that this information has not yet been tested and proven true or false in laboratory tests....yet. These postulations have been made by the author based on the culmination of many many sources both academically and scientifically sound that have tested related phenomena.
Let's consider some realities...
In the case of the Vietnam War...an adult person is removed from a passive Australian society where there are no, or few threats to their or their offspring's survival. They can be pretty confident that they will get home from work and pick their kids up from school without being blown up, or shot, or otherwise harmed. Then this individual is dropped into a hostile environment where the following may (and for many, did) occur:
* get shot at the moment they set foot on foreign soil,
* can't sleep more than 10 mins at a time due to 'scurrying' underground,
* therefore suffering prolonged sleep deprivation and heightened alertness,
* live in perpetual fear for 11 months of sudden, unexpected death, maiming or injury,
* witness colleagues and mates experiencing sudden unexpected death, maiming or injury.
If the duration and severity of threat-to-live is severe enough (studies indicate these adaptations occur instantaneously), certain biological processes are activated to ensure that individual's survival in that hostile environment. They adapt. They evolve. Of particular concern is the impact of the survival instinct on this scenario.
Species survival is paramount to evolution. Biology dictates that these survival traits are passed down through the generations to ensure survival of the species. This is a species-wide phenomenon. This is actually a biological survival mechanism for both the individual and their offspring………………….. It’s evolution.
Then, after several months of prolonged exposure to these hostilities, the individual is removed from that hostile environment....but their adaptations come with them...invisible, undetected, insideously lurking beneath the exterior. Those individual’s are returned to the placid environment, but they don’t leave their genetics behind. The behaviours and neurological and biological changes that resulted from that hostility come home with them, and are not accepted by their home environment.They are further subject to social rejection, ridicule and harassment after they fought every day to stay alive in the hope they would make it home. They are instructed to shut up and not discuss details of their experiences with anyone, including their spouse. They cannot wear their uniform in public for fear of being further harassed, abused and assaulted. From one hostile environment to another. No peace.
In the case of the Vietnam War...an adult person is removed from a passive Australian society where there are no, or few threats to their or their offspring's survival. They can be pretty confident that they will get home from work and pick their kids up from school without being blown up, or shot, or otherwise harmed. Then this individual is dropped into a hostile environment where the following may (and for many, did) occur:
* get shot at the moment they set foot on foreign soil,
* can't sleep more than 10 mins at a time due to 'scurrying' underground,
* therefore suffering prolonged sleep deprivation and heightened alertness,
* live in perpetual fear for 11 months of sudden, unexpected death, maiming or injury,
* witness colleagues and mates experiencing sudden unexpected death, maiming or injury.
If the duration and severity of threat-to-live is severe enough (studies indicate these adaptations occur instantaneously), certain biological processes are activated to ensure that individual's survival in that hostile environment. They adapt. They evolve. Of particular concern is the impact of the survival instinct on this scenario.
Species survival is paramount to evolution. Biology dictates that these survival traits are passed down through the generations to ensure survival of the species. This is a species-wide phenomenon. This is actually a biological survival mechanism for both the individual and their offspring………………….. It’s evolution.
Then, after several months of prolonged exposure to these hostilities, the individual is removed from that hostile environment....but their adaptations come with them...invisible, undetected, insideously lurking beneath the exterior. Those individual’s are returned to the placid environment, but they don’t leave their genetics behind. The behaviours and neurological and biological changes that resulted from that hostility come home with them, and are not accepted by their home environment.They are further subject to social rejection, ridicule and harassment after they fought every day to stay alive in the hope they would make it home. They are instructed to shut up and not discuss details of their experiences with anyone, including their spouse. They cannot wear their uniform in public for fear of being further harassed, abused and assaulted. From one hostile environment to another. No peace.
Then it gets interesting...
Epigentics enters the formula....
©Copyright 2008 Ken O’Brien
Combat_Ken |
Latest page update: made by Combat_Ken
, Nov 13 2008, 7:11 PM EST
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
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| skippy-ccoy | My Grand son | 3 | Apr 4 2009, 7:33 AM EDT by 1Bravo6 | ||
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Thread started: Mar 21 2009, 6:31 AM EDT
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My youngest daughter has a boy of 7 who i love with all my heart (& would die for him for real). My daughter has bipolar and has trouble establishing any sort of relation with the opposite sex. What frightens me is that My experiences as a grunt have contributed to or are the cause of her bipolar, it is also a worry that this psychological problem I have has transferred to my grandson. What is a problem is that my flight or fight response is still very active even though I take medication, just recently a 28 yr old swore at me and grabbed me around the throat, my response (which I don't remember) was to give the guy a Liverpool kiss and smack him in the mouth on the way down. This resulted in my being arrested and after the trial being put on probation for 6 mths. Now, I have no memory of him swearing at me or grabbing me around the throat or my reaction to this, it is only due to a witness that what transpired came to light. Would this threat response be transferred to my grandson? Fors anyone know?
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