RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Epigenetic Modification of the Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene Is Linked to Traumatic Memory and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Risk in Genocide Survivors
JF The Journal of Neuroscience
JO J. Neurosci.
FD Society for Neuroscience
SP 10274
OP 10284
DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1526-14.2014
VO 34
IS 31
A1 Vukojevic, Vanja
A1 Kolassa, Iris-T.
A1 Fastenrath, Matthias
A1 Gschwind, Leo
A1 Spalek, Klara
A1 Milnik, Annette
A1 Heck, Angela
A1 Vogler, Christian
A1 Wilker, Sarah
A1 Demougin, Philippe
A1 Peter, Fabian
A1 Atucha, Erika
A1 Stetak, Attila
A1 Roozendaal, Benno
A1 Elbert, Thomas
A1 Papassotiropoulos, Andreas
A1 de Quervain, Dominique J.-F.
YR 2014
UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/34/31/10274.abstract
AB Recent evidence suggests that altered expression and epigenetic modification of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) are related to the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The underlying mechanisms, however, remain unknown. Because glucocorticoid receptor signaling is known to regulate emotional memory processes, particularly in men, epigenetic modifications of NR3C1 might affect the strength of traumatic memories. Here, we found that increased DNA methylation at the NGFI-A (nerve growth factor-induced protein A) binding site of the NR3C1 promoter was associated with less intrusive memory of the traumatic event and reduced PTSD risk in male, but not female survivors of the Rwandan genocide. NR3C1 methylation was not significantly related to hyperarousal or avoidance symptoms. We further investigated the relationship between NR3C1 methylation and memory functions in a neuroimaging study in healthy subjects. Increased NR3C1 methylation–which was associated with lower NR3C1 expression–was related to reduced picture recognition in male, but not female subjects. Furthermore, we found methylation-dependent differences in recognition memory-related brain activity in men. Together, these findings indicate that an epigenetic modification of the glucocorticoid receptor gene promoter is linked to interindividual and gender-specific differences in memory functions and PTSD risk.