Toward a better understanding of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post traumatic stress disorder is a mental disorder that can be developed after experiencing a traumatic event, resulting in recurring memories and dreams. 4% of the world’s population is affected by PTSD making it a significant mental disorder in the world. PTSD is more common in war-torn countries and about 227 million adult war survivors have experienced PTSD. People diagnosed with PTSD experience multiple relationship problems with their family and friends including trust, closeness, and communication. Despite its significance, we still don’t fully understand the reasoning behind PTSD. Researchers believe that there are certain neurobiological factors that contribute to PTSD. Neuropeptides, small proteins in the brain that help regulate emotions and memory, are believed to have a strong link to PTSD. Researchers believe that there is a link between these peptides and neurotransmitter, which are chemicals that help brain cells communicate. Understanding this relationship could provide new insights into PTSD. Dr. Yangguang Ou and her group, at the Chemistry Department, University of Vermont, are developing tools and methods that can detect specific brain chemicals to better study this relationship. Dr. Ou shared some insights and her future goals for this project.
One unique hallmark of PTSD is the inability to forget a traumatic event, which can be triggered by environmental factors such as lights and sounds, causing those diagnosed to mentally relive the event. According to Dr. Ou, “it’s almost like a mental time travel.” During traumatic events, certain neuropeptides, known as pain peptides, are released in large quantities, potentially contributing to this persistent memory. Methionine-enkephalin (Met-Enk), a neuropeptide involved in memory, may be linked to this phenomenon, although its role is not yet well understood due to technical challenges in selectively detecting and quantifying it.
To address this, Dr. Ou's group is using a technique called molecular imprinting, where they create tiny traps on a surface to catch and hold onto specific neuropeptides. These traps are created by small building blocks, with neuropeptides like structures, called monomers. The surface where these traps are created is a conductor that carry a specific electric current called an electrode. With this approach, the team successfully detected Met-Enk by optimizing the ratio of monomers used. Dr. Ou noted that adjusting these ratios allows for detecting other neuropeptides that may also influence pain and memory.
The project aims to study the relationship connecting Met-Enk with certain neurotransmitters. Dr. Ou suggests that histamine, a neurotransmitter that controls how memories are strengthened and stored over time, could be a key connection. She emphasizes the importance of assessing this relationship in real time to gain insights into the link between Met-Enk and histamine, which could impact memory storage. The future direction of the project is to apply this technology to living systems, allowing for real-time monitoring of neuropeptides and guiding potential treatments and targeted therapies for PTSD. Ultimately, this research could pave the way toward more effective PTSD treatments, offering hope for millions affected by it around the world.
References:
Villarini, N. A.; Robins, N.; Ou, Y., Fabrication and Optimization of a Molecularly Imprinted Carbon Fiber Microelectrode for Selective Detection of Met-enkephalin Using Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetry. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2024, 16 (23), 29728-29736. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.4c03093
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