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Root Cause of Post-Traumatic and Developmental Stress Disorders

Major Depression and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are among the most common mental health problems experienced by veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Alcohol and drug use are also common problems in troops and veterans who have deployed overseas. Stress is an acknowledged contributor to the development and progression of each of these conditions. Our research program will investigate the "Root Cause", or biological basis of these conditions, which we hypothesize is heavily influenced by brain anatomy.

We have documented in previous studies that brain anatomy is strongly influenced by inheritance of specific gene variants that code for an important protein playing a major role in mediating activity of the brain neurotransmitter serotonin. Variation in the serotonin transporter gene, known as the SERT-short allele (SERT-s, or 5HTTLPR-s) is associated with enlargement of the thalamus, a part of the brain that is involved in processing of emotion and in monitoring threats in the environment. We hypothesize that individuals who inherit these variants, or who have had serotonin brain development affected by stress early in life, will be more susceptible to mental health problems when they encounter a chronic stress (depression) or an acute life threatening stress (PTSD). The susceptibility is hypothesized to be related to thalamic enlargement because the anatomical variation makes it more likely that brain resources will be focused on information about emotion and threat.

The Neuropsychiatry Research Program of the Texas A&M Health Science Center Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science has been focusing on the potential links between genes and brain anatomy for several years. TAMHSC investigators and investigators from the Baylor University Department of Psychology and Neuroscience have established the Central Texas Stress Disorders Working Group, and are collaborating to perform the experiments described below. In addition, the group will be collaborating with the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System Waco Center of Excellence for Returning Veterans and other VA investigators to perform additional studies of PTSD and addiction treatments. less...

News Feed

Mobile MRI Arrives in Waco

The VISN 17/CTVHCS Mobile MRI was recently unveiled at the Waco VA with the help of Representative Chet Edwards, Virginia Dupuy (Waco Mayor), Col Wilma Larson (DCCS Darnall Army Medical Center), Bruce Gordon (Director CTVHCS), Tim Shea (Director VISN 17), Suzy Gulliver (COE Director), Keith Young (COE Neuroimaging and Genetics Core Leader) and (Paul Hicks (CTVHCS . The Phillips 3T mobile unit, one of only 3 in existence, will conduct research at Waco, Temple and Fort Hood. The Root Cause of PTSD project 5 will be one of the first projects implemented to study the genetic underpinnings of brain anatomical predisposition to PTSD and Depression.
- View News Story at Dallas Morning News Story (AP Wire).
- View More Pictures here.
- View the TV News Spot at KCEN News Story. - Posted by Keith Young on Jul 07, 2008 10:37am CDT

CTVHCS hosts worlds largest mobile MRI

The 3T mobile MRI from Phillips, the worlds largest research-dedicated portable MRI, will be used to perform Mental Health research at the Waco and Temple VA, and at Fort Hood. Root Cause Project 5 is being revised to make use of this unique resource, which will be managed by the VA Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans. - Posted by Kevin Kastner on Jun 03, 2008 09:06am CDT

Summer studentships Available!

Applications for 2009 summer studentships are due in Mid-April. more... - Posted by Kevin Kastner on Apr 12, 2008 03:53pm CDT

Miller Poster Award

Congratulations to Laura Miller for winning the "Best Poster" award! more... - Posted by Kevin Kastner on Mar 03, 2008 04:32pm CST

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Root Cause of PTSD in the News

Check out our article in VA Research Currents. Research news from the u.s. department of veterans affairs. more...