Insights into Molecular Basis of PTSD and Major Depression Could One Day Aid in Diagnosis and Treatment Posted on June 13th, 2024 by Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli

https://directorsblog.nih.gov/2024/06/13/insights-into-molecular-basis-of-ptsd-and-major-depression-could-one-day-aid-in-diagnosis-and-treatment/ We know stress can take a toll on our mental health. Yet, it’s unclear why some people develop stress-related mental health disorders and others don’t. The risk for developing a stress-related mental health disorder such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depressive disorder (MDD) depends on a complex interplay between the genetic vulnerabilities we are born with and the impact of traumatic stress we experience over our lifetimes. Given this complexity, it’s been difficult for researchers to pinpoint the underlying biological pathways in the body that ultimately produce changes associated with PTSD, major depression, or other mental health conditions. Now, a study reported in a special issue of Science on decoding the brain uses a comprehensive approach to examine multiple biological processes across brain regions, cell types, and blood to elucidate this complexity. It’s an unprecedented effort to understand in a more holistic way the essential biological networks involved in PTSD and MDD.