Investigating DNA changes related to PTSD in World Trade Center responders
Official title: Methylome profile of World Trade Center related PTSD
Funded at State University New York Stony Brook · NIH-10903703 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our genes and the environment might work together to affect PTSD in people who responded to the 9/11 World Trade Center attack, using blood samples to find clues about these connections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $499,622 |
| NIH project number | 5U01OH012466-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10903703 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who were responders during the 9/11 World Trade Center attack and are experiencing PTSD symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who were not involved in the 9/11 incident or do not exhibit PTSD symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the biological factors contributing to PTSD experienced by responders of the 9/11 World Trade Center attack. By analyzing DNA methylation patterns in blood samples, the study aims to uncover how environmental factors interact with genetic predispositions to influence PTSD symptoms. The research will utilize advanced genome-wide methylation profiling techniques to gather comprehensive data, which will be combined with existing datasets to enhance the robustness of the findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the identification of biological markers for PTSD, improving diagnosis and treatment options for affected individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in identifying epigenetic markers related to PTSD, but this study aims to enhance the power and generalizability of findings through a larger and more diverse dataset.
Where this research is happening
-
State University New York Stony Brook
Stony Brook, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuan, Pei-Fen — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Kuan, Pei-Fen
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.