Dopamine helps cope with post-traumatic stress disorder

Within the framework of the strategic project “Human health in the era of digital transformation of society” of the Priority 2030 program, SUSU neuroscientists are working on solving a problem of national importance – the correction of stress disorders post-traumatic (PTSD), which are acquired, including after being in combat conditions. Scientists have found that replenishing a dopamine deficiency contributes to the formation of resistance to PTSD. The search results are published in multiple items in the very side International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

PTSD is a serious mental disorder that develops in people after experiencing a life-threatening event. This can lead to mental and somatic diseases, which are especially harmful to the cardiovascular system.

“Those who suffer from PTSD include former hostages, prisoners, and victims of violence. However, PTSD resulting from combat stress is a more complex and dangerous type of disorder than PTSD caused by other stressful events. If we learn how to correct or prevent complex forms of PTSD, then the treatment for this disease will be eliminated,” said project leader, PhD in biology, Professor Vadim Tseylikman.

Post-traumatic stress disorder does not develop in everyone, 20-30% of people are exposed to traumatic events. Of course, the resistance mechanism of PTSD is a multifactorial construct. The nature of the reaction to severe stress depends on individual vulnerability or resistance, mainly determined by the activity of gene networks. SUSU scientists are looking for influences that can effectively interfere with the work of gene networks and cope with the development of PTSD. Traditional approaches to the treatment of diseases are aimed at stabilizing the level of serotonin. Experimental data obtained in the Laboratory for Progressive Studies of the Molecular Mechanisms of Stress has shown that the development of PTSD progresses differently. It is necessary to abandon the generally accepted methods of correction: it is necessary to study the exchange of another neurotransmitter, dopamine. It is the deficiency of dopamine in the human body that leads to a gross violation of microcirculation in the main brain structures and makes possible susceptibility to PTSD.

“By understanding how the gene network works, it is possible to predict the genes that drive the development of PTSD. We are not just studying PTSD, we have established a new experimental model of combat stress – threats to life and encounters with the enemy. The need for our work has become particularly important in the context of the NWO”, shared Vadim Tseylikman.

The combat stress model is reproduced by reconstructing the critical environment for the rats, the imaginary proximity to a predator, which they recognize by smell. The comparative analysis was subjected to experimental groups of animals whose behavior became depressed and whose behavior did not change or even acquired hyperactivity. We studied the part of the brain in which an increased expression of neurotrophin genes was found which determines the level of neuroplasticity – resistance to harmful effects (PTSD).

Center for Research and Education “Biomedical Technologies” from SUSU found that neuroplasticity genes are inactive in behaviorally suppressed rats, meaning there is no synthesis of the protein that promotes the development of resistance. Rats, whose behavior did not change, on the contrary, had a high content of neurotrophins. The genetic study also showed the expression of the genes responsible for this. Experiments conducted by scientists have confirmed that disturbances in neuronal transmission lead to behavioral disorders, chronic stress and the occurrence of complications in internal organs. There is a group of substances and drugs that are candidates for the pharmaceutical treatment of PTSD. A multicenter research group is formed to study the use of these substances.

The reliability of the preparations will be studied experimentally at SUSU Laboratory for advanced studies of the molecular mechanisms of stress and at least in five laboratories of university centers in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The result of this scientific work will show the new possibilities of these drugs for the treatment of PTSD and other pathologies.

Previously, SUSU scientists had also studied the topic of post-traumatic stress disorder and the impact of stress on the functioning of the brain, heart, adrenal glands and other internal organs.

South Urals State University is a transformational university, where innovative research is carried out in most priority areas of scientific and technological development. In accordance with the strategy of scientific and technological development of the Russian Federation, the university focuses on the development of large interdisciplinary scientific projects in the field of digital industry, materials science and ecology. In 2021, SUSU won the competition under the Priority 2030 program. The university performs the functions of a regional project office of the Ural Interregional Research and Education Center, designed to solve the project tasks National Science and Universities.

More information:
www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/23/14575/htm

Provided by South Urals State University