B3066 - Investigating the genetics of post-traumatic stress disorder associated with pregnancy and birth complications - 15/03/2018

B number: 
B3066
Principal applicant name: 
Lucia | QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute (Australia)
Co-applicants: 
Prof Sarah Medland, Prof Debbie Lawlor
Title of project: 
Investigating the genetics of post-traumatic stress disorder associated with pregnancy and birth complications
Proposal summary: 

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can arise from pregnancy and birth complications. PTSD followed by pregnancy complications has received attention from large epidemiological studies. Previous epidemioloigcal studies report ~6% prevalence of perinatal PTSD. Although genetic factors confer vulnerability to PTSD, there are no studies analysing the genetic variants that confer vulnerability to PTSD after pregnancy complications. This project seeks to examine whether the genetic and non-genetic risk factors influencing PTSD arising from pregnancy related complications are shared with those influencing PTSD arising from violence and disaster events and from other psychiatric disorders.

Impact of research: 
PTSD followed by pregnancy complications has received attention from large epidemiological studies, with meta-analyses reporting demographic, medical and psychological risk factors. Although genetic factors confer vulnerability to PTSD, genetic studies have been limited and there are no studies analysing the genetic variants that confer vulnerability to PTSD after pregnancy complications. Identifying these factors will provide novel information for the design of differential intervention techniques for the prevention of perinatal PTSD.
Date proposal received: 
Thursday, 15 February, 2018
Date proposal approved: 
Thursday, 15 February, 2018
Keywords: 
Mental health - Psychology, Psychiatry, Cognition, Mental health, Pregnancy - e.g. reproductive health, postnatal depression, birth outcomes, etc., Post-traumatic stress disorder, GWAS, Statistical methods, Mothers - maternal age, menopause, obstetrics