this is a presentation about COMT and PTSD

1. PTSD
By, Lucas Millman and Adam Hall

2. About PTSD
• PTSD stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• It is a psychiatric illness that affects the brain after it goes through a traumatic
experience
• It was first identified in veterans from Vietnam who had a traumatic
experience
• The types of traumatic events range from losing a loved one, experiences in
prison, assault, domestic abuse, rape, war experiences
• It can happen to any age, race or gender and does not always occur right
after the traumatic event

3. Study in Rwandan Genocide
• A study identified genes as potential biologic markers linked to PTSD
• Scientist screened surviving victims of the Rwandan genocide where the total
death toll was about 500,000 people
• Rwandans experienced significant trauma by witnessing traumatic events or
losing loved one
• The study evaluated blood samples and reviewed medical records from 424
Rwanda genocide survivor, participants experienced trauma but one group
was diagnosed with PTSD
• The study found a "dose-response" relationship between traumatic load and
the widespread appearance of lifetime PTSD
• Their hypothesis suggests a direct relationship where the higher amount of
traumatic load, the more likely the chance of developing PTSD
• Scientists also found genetic biomarkers directly linked to the "traumatic
load"

4. COMT
• The COMT stands for catechol-O-methyltransferase
• It is an enzyme produced by all individuals with some variability
• COMT "digests" the chemicals produced when stress occurs
• COMT used to be linked with the feeling of fear
• They concluded people with less COMT have a higher stress load
leaving them more vulnerable to PTSD
• This study may provide information putting us one step closer to
finding a biologic intervention for prevention or treatment of mental
disorders related to stress like PTSD

5. Bibliography
http://depts.washington.edu/wwpweb/images/comt_figure.gif
http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/usa/images-3/child-rwanda-
genocide.jpg
http://www.adoptionblogs.com/media/FosterAdoption/ptsd.jpg
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/180509.php
https://health.google.com/health/ref/Post-traumatic+stress+disorder
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwandan_Genocide

6. Bibliography
http://depts.washington.edu/wwpweb/images/comt_figure.gif
http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/usa/images-3/child-rwanda-
genocide.jpg
http://www.adoptionblogs.com/media/FosterAdoption/ptsd.jpg
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/180509.php
https://health.google.com/health/ref/Post-traumatic+stress+disorder
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwandan_Genocide