Association of CRP Genetic Variation and CRP Level With Elevated PTSD Symptoms and Physiological Responses in a Civilian Population With High Levels of Trauma

• DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.14020263
• Publication Date: 2014-12-17T23:08:43Z
• Authors: Vasiliki Michopoulos; Alex O. Rothbaum; Tanja Jovanovic; Lynn M. Almli; Bekh Bradley; Barbara O. Rothbaum; Charles F. Gillespie; Kerry J. Ressler
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Reflex, Startle; Asian; Genotype; Fear; Hispanic or Latino; Middle Aged; 16. Peace & justice; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; White People; 3. Good health; Black or African American; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; C-Reactive Protein; Cross-Sectional Studies; Logistic Models; Linear Models; Humans; Female

Objective: Increased systemic inflammation is associated with stress-related psychopathology. Specifically, levels of the proinflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) are elevated in individuals posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Furthermore, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) CRP gene level, risk for cardiovascular disease, and obesity. The authors examined whether within increased PTSD symptoms fear physiology a civilian population high trauma. Method: Cross-sectional data DNA samples were collected from 2,698 recruited an inner-city public hospital that serves primarily African American, low-socioeconomic-status population. A subgroup 187 participants participated further interviews, testing, physiological measures; these, 135 assessed using fear-potentiated startle paradigm to assess fear-related phenotypes PTSD. Results: One SNP gene, rs1130864, was significantly (N=2,692), including “being overly alert” as most significant individual symptom (N=2,698). Additionally, genotype odds diagnosis (N=2,692). This also level (N=137), (>3 mg/L) positively (N=187) safety signal (N=135). Conclusions: Together, these indicate genetic variability serum severity, hyperarousal symptoms. Elevated exacerbated psychophysiology ratings diagnosis. These findings suggest potential mechanism by which state may lead heightened