DNA methylation from germline cells in veterans with PTSD. (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mehta, Divya; Pelzer, Elise S.; Bruenig, Dagmar; Lawford, Bruce; McLeay, Sarah; Morris, Charles P.; Gibson, John N.; Young, Ross McD.; Voisey, Joanne
• Is Part Of: Journal of psychiatric research. Volume 116(2019)
• Page Start: 42
• Page End: 50
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: DNA methylation -- Sperm -- Biomarkers -- Veterans -- PTSD -- Transgenerational -- Combat exposure; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental Disorders -- Periodicals; Maladies mentales -- Périodiques; Psychiatry; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.06.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3956

Abstract

Abstract: In this study we investigated genome-wide sperm DNA methylation patterns in trauma-exposed Vietnam veterans. At the genome-wide level, we identified 3 CpG sites associated with PTSD in sperm including two intergenic and one CpG within the CCDC88C gene. Of those associated with PTSD in sperm at a nominal level, 1868 CpGs were also associated with PTSD in peripheral blood (5.6% overlap) including the RORA, CRHR1 and DOCK2 genes that have been previously implicated in PTSD. A total of 10 CpG sites were significantly associated with a reported history of a diagnosed mental health condition in children and reached genome-wide significance. CpGs associated with a history of a reported mental health condition in children were also enriched (90% of tested genes) for genes previously reported to be resistant to demethylation, making them strong candidates for transgenerational inheritance. In conclusion, our findings identify a unique sperm-specific DNA methylation pattern that is associated with PTSD.