Epigenetics of PTSD

Epigenetics involves the study of whether genes get activated or not. It offers the plausible suggestion that the environment can provide the stimulus to force changes in genetic expression and involves complexities well beyond DNA (Paterson, 2006). It asserts that a protein or gene segment can be switched on or off by the presence or attachment of a specific chemical or hormone or even another gene (Ridley, 2003) and opens the suggestion that we may all be genetically capable of developing any condition or characteristic possible in the entire human genome, depending on whether the protein or gene sequence responsible for that trait is turned on or off by our reaction to an environmental event.

Consider our scenario from the previous slide...hostile environment produces neurological and anatomical changes to the individual...Darwinism dictates the species must survive, so messages are sent to the individual's genetics to alter specific characteristics for the next generation of inhabitants/survivors in this hostile environment. In essence, the species evolves...

If the Veteran conceived a child with their partner BEFORE they experienced their significant trauma then the genetic "G-A" construct does not apply to any difficulties that child may develop or exhibit as they mature. The chromosome pairs that provided the genetic information for the child's development was unaltered by an event that had not yet occurred. Any problematic behaviours the child developed would therefore be learned ones, and what is learned can be unlearned. Therefore, specific management and coping strategies can be developed and implemented that consider these specific sources of PTSD symptomatic behaviours. However, if the Veteran conceived a child with their partner AFTER they experienced their significant trauma, then a whole different set of strategies need to be applied. The differences in biology and behaviour exhibited by that child cannot be applied to simply "modelling" and parenting techniques. It demands further explanation. These children have genetically inherited a "fragile G" or "A".

As previously explained, significant life-threatening experiences alter genetic coding and this is heritable in subsequent generations. Therefore, it stands to reason, that a child conceived POST TRAUMA will acquire this "adaptive" genetic information.

Now let's turn to the passive Australian society...the "home" that individual originated from. It is unwelcomming and, in itself, hostile. It can trigger the change of a "G" into an "A".

Combat_Ken	Latest page update: made by Combat_Ken , Apr 30 2008, 1:33 AM EDT (about this update About This Update Edited by Combat_Ken view changes - complete history)
	Keyword tags: Conflict Disaster DNA epigenetic epigenetics generations genetic genetics intergenerational Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD stress transfer transmission Trauma Veteran Vietnam War More Info: links to this page

Threads for this page

Post a new thread

There are no threads for this page. Be the first to start a new thread.

The Question	National Convention	Poster Draft Only
National Convention Poster	News Flashes/Latest News	Page 2
Vietnam Veterans Consultative Forum Notice Feb 4 2009	Ken's Dad	Get involved in the National Health Study
have you seen this page?	A Dedication to a Vietnam Veteran "Allan Howarth" part 3 final	DNA of PTSD

Inheriting the Vietnam War Legacy

Epigenetics of PTSD

Threads for this page

Related Content