https://www.geneticlifehacks.com/resili ... od-trauma/
Exposure to childhood trauma, such as exposure to abuse, violence, or repeated stress, can have a long-lasting effect. Adults who were exposed to childhood trauma have higher rates of depression, PTSD, suicide, and anxiety disorders.
The question that researchers have attempted to answer is: Why are some people resilient to childhood trauma while others have lifelong effects. Genetics are a big part of that answer.
The HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) is thought to play an integral role in the resilience to stress. Several studies have investigated the role of the HPA axis, childhood adversity, and adult depression or anxiety. [ref] One study concluded “A history of childhood trauma has longstanding effects on adulthood cortisol responses to stress, particularly in that depressed individuals with a history of childhood trauma show blunted cortisol responses” [ref].
The HPA axis is basically the interactions and feedback loops between the brain (hypothalamus) and the pituitary and adrenal glands. It regulates things like mood, energy, body temperature, and immune function — as well as the body’s release of cortisol in response to stress.
Corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) is produced in the hypothalamus, and it, in turn, activates ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). ACTH controls the synthesis of cortisol, mineralocorticoids, and DHEA.
CRH release increases anxiety, suppresses appetite, and increases attention – just what you need when a tiger is chasing you, but not good when it is chronically a little elevated. Cortisol levels naturally rise and fall over the course of the day, in rhythm with your body’s circadian clock. When this rhythm is either out of phase or dampened, there can be a cascade of chronic effects.
CRH activates the corticotrophin-releasing hormone receptor, CRHR1. There are several quite common genetic variants of CRHR 1 that have been found to interact with childhood trauma – either increasing or decreasing the likelihood of long-term effects, depending on the genotype.
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Check your 23andMe results for rs242924 (v4):
GG: increased risk of depression, anxiety due to childhood trauma [ref][ref]
GT: somewhat increased risk of depression, anxiety due to childhood trauma.
TT: no increase in the risk of depression, anxiety due to childhood trauma.
Check your 23andMe results for rs110402 (v5):
GG: increased risk of depression, anxiety due to childhood trauma [ref][ref]
AG: somewhat increased risk of depression, anxiety due to childhood trauma.
AA: no increase in the risk of depression, anxiety due to childhood trauma.
Surprise, surprise. I'm GG on rs242924. Fortunately, herbal adaptogens have been shown to modulate the body’s stress response system, including CRH.
ApoE 4/4 - When I was in 7th grade, my fellow students in history class called me "The Brain" because I had such a memory for detail. I excelled at memorization and aced tests. This childhood memory helps me cope!
