Sex Differences in Stress-Related Cardiometabolic Risk in PTSD
Abstract
Topic Area: Women’s Heart Disease Post-traumatic stress (PTS) is a common psychiatric condition, affecting approximately 8% of the US population and 22% of Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. PTS has been associated with biological changes in the hormonal stress response, arteries, and immune system that may increase risk for cardiovascular disease. PTS increases risk for cardiovascular disease, particularly for women compared to men. Little research has examined biological mechanisms of cardiovascular disease risk that result from PTS in women, particularly in relation to reproductive hormones that fluctuate as a result of changes in the natural menstrual cycle in younger women. However, studying premenopausal women may provide insight into how certain reproductive hormones and their products could either decrease or exacerbate the stress-related cardiovascular risks associated with PTS. The goal of this project is to identify biological mechanisms that may explain the relationship between PTS and cardiovascular risk in men and women with post-traumatic stress disorder by examining biological changes in PTS that affects risk for cardiovascular disease in women. This study will use a recently developed laboratory technique called “metabolomics” that can identify circulating small molecules that affect cell and physiological function. This approach is broad and allows for a comprehensive examination of multiple physiological pathways at the same time that may be missed with traditional, more targeted approaches. A metabolomic analysis examining lipids and reproductive hormones will be performed on blood samples that were obtained from premenopausal women and men of similar ages with and without PTS. Compounds that are found to be altered in PTS and differ by sex will be linked with traditional blood measures of cardiovascular disease risk and cardiovascular responses to stress challenges. This study will provide a better understanding of the biological pathways that lead to cardiovascular health risks, particularly in women with PTS. Improvements in our understanding of the underlying biology will lead to better screening tools and more effective treatments that will reduce health risks and improve quality of life in people with PTS and their family members. It may also lead to the development of medications to prevent and/or improve biological changes that are impacted by stress. Since many military personnel and Veterans experience trauma and develop PTS symptoms, this study has the potential to benefit this population and their beneficiaries.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 10, 2021
- Source ID
- W81XWH2010128
Entities
People
- Sabra Inslicht
Organizations
- Northern California Institute for Research and Education
- United States Army