Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mediates stress response. Functional polymorphism Val66Met was reported to influence the effects of stressful life events or childhood adversity on depression and suicidal behaviour. We studied the association between Val66Met variants and suicide, and in victims with or without stressful childhood experience. Similar frequency of Val66Met variants was found between all included suicide victims and the control groups. Combined Met/Met and Met/Val genotypes could be the risk factors for violent female suicide in suicide in victims with childhood trauma.
B.03 Paper at an international scientific conference
COBISS.SI-ID: 27559641It was first suggested that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) represents a normative response to exposure to extreme stressors, but it became evident that only a minority of individuals experiencing traumatic event will develop the disorder. Early life events have persisting effects on CNS tissue structure and function, phenomenon called 'developmental programming'. Further it is known that glucocorticoid hormone mediators may be involved in this process. Studies suggest that epigenetic mechanisms may play an important role in the interplay between stress exposure and genetic vulnerability.
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 27538649