Next steps for PTSD genomics: from loci to function
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11515325 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study from Boston University Medical Campus aims to identify genetic factors and brain-cell changes linked to PTSD to help develop better biomarkers and treatments for people with PTSD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 17, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $836,968 |
| NIH project number | 7R01MH133268-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11515325 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with PTSD or those at risk due to trauma exposure, particularly focused on brain-related biomarkers and brain-cell mechanisms.
✕Less likely to help
People without PTSD or trauma exposure who do not contribute samples or data for genetic and cellular analyses may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on pinpointing the exact DNA changes and genes that contribute to PTSD by examining brain regions important for fear and memory. Researchers will map how these genetic signals affect RNA, DNA methylation, and protein levels in the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. They will also study how these signals differ across specific brain cell types using advanced single-cell and multi-omics techniques, and validate key variants in lab-grown neural cells derived from patients. The work builds on previous GWAS findings and uses CRISPR editing in iPSC-derived neural cultures to test the functional impact of prioritized variants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to biomarkers for PTSD risk and progression and inform targeted therapies tailored to an individual's genetic and cellular brain profile.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked PTSD risk loci to brain biology, and this approach seeks to translate that into cell-type and molecular mechanisms with a validated lab model.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Daskalakis, Nikolaos — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Daskalakis, Nikolaos
Related research
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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.