Tiny particles in blood and skin that may signal past trauma and PTSD risk
Extracellular vesicles as biomarkers of trauma exposure and PTSD risk
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · NIH-11217877
This project looks for tiny particles and proteins in blood and skin that could indicate past interpersonal violence and higher PTSD risk in adolescents and adult women.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11217877 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers would analyze tiny particles called extracellular vesicles from blood or skin samples to find protein patterns linked to trauma and PTSD risk. They compare people who experienced interpersonal violence at different ages, with special focus on late adolescence (about 14–18 years). The team uses advanced proteomics to map proteins and also studies similar changes in mice to understand sensitive developmental timing and underlying biology. The work has highlighted proteins tied to skin Merkel cells and a gene region called 17q21 that may relate to stress reactivity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescent girls or adult women with a history of interpersonal violence, especially those whose trauma occurred during mid to late adolescence.
Not a fit: People without a history of interpersonal violence, men, or individuals whose symptoms stem from unrelated medical conditions may not receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify biological markers that flag who is at higher risk for PTSD after interpersonal violence, enabling earlier support or targeted prevention.
How similar studies have performed: Early studies and animal models have found promising signals using extracellular vesicle proteomics, but applying these markers to predict PTSD risk in people is still relatively new and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER — Aurora, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BALE, TRACY L — UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- Study coordinator: BALE, TRACY L
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 below.