The apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele has been implicated in a range of neuropsychiatric conditions. The present research examined if the ε4 allele of the APOE gene moderated the effect of combat exposure on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans. Participants included 765 non-Hispanic White (NHW) and 859 non-Hispanic Black (NHB) Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans. A structured interview established psychiatric diagnoses. Combat exposure and PTSD symptom severity were assessed via self-report. The most common lifetime diagnoses were depression (39.2%), PTSD (38.4%), and alcohol dependence (24.38%). After correcting for multiple comparisons, no significant effects were observed on any of the outcomes among the NHW sample; however, within the NHB sample, significant gene × environment (G × E) interactions were observed for lifetime PTSD (P = .0029) and PTSD symptom severity (P = .0009). In each case, the APOE ε4 allele had no effect on the outcomes when combat exposure was low; however, when combat exposure was high, an additive effect was observed such that ε4 homozygotes exposed to high levels of combat reported the highest rates of PTSD (92%) and the worst symptom severity scores on the Davidson Trauma Scale (M = 79.5). Although preliminary, these findings suggest that the APOE ε4 allele, in conjunction with exposure to high levels of combat exposure, may increase veterans' risk for developing PTSD.
The apolipoprotein E ( APOE ) ε4 allele has been implicated in a range of neuropsychiatric conditions . The present research examined if the ε4 allele of the APOE gene moderated the effect of combat exposure on posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) among Iraq / Afghanistan - era veterans . Participants included 765 non - Hispanic White ( NHW ) and 859 non - Hispanic Black ( NHB ) Iraq / Afghanistan - era veterans . A structured interview established psychiatric diagnoses . Combat exposure and PTSD symptom severity were assessed via self - report . The most common lifetime diagnoses were depression ( 39.2 % ) , PTSD ( 38.4 % ) , and alcohol dependence ( 24.38 % ) . After correcting for multiple comparisons , no significant effects were observed on any of the outcomes among the NHW sample ; however , within the NHB sample , significant gene × environment ( G × E ) interactions were observed for lifetime PTSD ( P = .0029 ) and PTSD symptom severity ( P = .0009 ) . In each case , the APOE ε4 allele had no effect on the outcomes when combat exposure was low ; however , when combat exposure was high , an additive effect was observed such that ε4 homozygotes exposed to high levels of combat reported the highest rates of PTSD ( 92 % ) and the worst symptom severity scores on the Davidson Trauma Scale ( M = 79.5 ) . Although preliminary , these findings suggest that the APOE ε4 allele , in conjunction with exposure to high levels of combat exposure , may increase veterans ' risk for developing PTSD .
Symptoms of which disorder are evaluated with the Davidson Trauma Scale?
Symptoms of which disorder are evaluated with the Davidson Trauma Scale ?
PTSD
post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD