mental health
DRD2

The Dopamine System in Post Traumatic Stress (DRD2)

Written by Jasmine Foster, BSc, BEd on September 30th, 2020
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DRD2 encodes a type of dopamine receptor that affects cognition and anxiety. What is its complex relationship to PTSD? Read on to learn more.

Summary

DRD2 encodes a type of dopamine receptor. Variants of DRD2 may play a role in PTSD by changing the intensity of dopamine signals in the brain. Lifestyle, diet, and supplement modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by normalizing dopamine signalling.

DRD2 and PTSD

The DRD2 gene encodes a dopamine receptor. Dopamine, which is important for signalling pleasure and reward, can also reduce the sensation of pain and reduce anxiety and fear [R, R, R].

Because dopamine is highly involved in many processes that are critical for proper cognitive function, SNPs in the DRD2 gene can significantly impact cognitive ability and mental health [R, R, R, R].

The major factor connecting the DRD2 gene and PTSD is DRD2 receptor density: that is, how many receptors of this type are present on any given dopamine neuron [R].

Dopamine receptor density interacts with COMT, an enzyme that breaks down dopamine, to produce overall susceptibility to PTSD. For people with high COMT, low DRD2 density is potentially harmful; for people with low COMT, high DRD2 density is potentially harmful [R].

Higher COMT is more common than low COMT, so for most people, low DRD2 density is more likely to be detrimental. However, you should check your COMT gene to be sure how DRD2 will affect you.

DRD2 encodes a type of dopamine receptor that affects cognition and anxiety. When COMT enzyme activity is low, high DRD2 density may increase susceptibility to PTSD. By contrast, when COMT is high, low DRD2 may increase susceptibility.

Your DRD2 Results for PTSD

SNP Table

 

DRD2 rs1800497

  • ‘G’ = Average rates of PTSD
  • ‘A’ = Higher than average rates of PTSD
  • The ‘A’ allele appears to reduce the density of DRD2 receptors, increasing susceptibility to PTSD for people with high COMT [R]

DRD2 rs6277

  • ‘G’ = Average rates of PTSD
  • ‘A’ = Possibly protective against PTSD
  • The ‘A’ allele may increase dopamine signalling [R]

DRD2 rs12364283

  • ‘A’ = Average rates of PTSD
  • ‘G’ = Higher than average rates of PTSD
  • The ‘G’ allele may decrease dopamine signalling [R]

DRD2 rs7131056

  • ‘A’ = Average rates of PTSD
  • ‘C’ = Possibly protective against PTSD
  • The ‘C’ allele may increase dopamine signalling [R]

DRD2 rs2075652

  • ‘G’ = Average rates of PTSD
  • ‘A’ = Higher than average rates of PTSD
  • The ‘A’ allele may decrease dopamine signalling [R]

 

Recommendations

Lifestyle

Yoga & Meditation

Yoga and other forms of meditation have a natural stress-relieving effect which may work in part by improving dopamine signalling [R, R, R, R].

A yoga program called trauma-sensitive yoga has been associated with reduced symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety in people with PTSD [R, R, R, R].

A meta-analysis concluded that the evidence to support yoga for PTSD is encouraging but preliminary due to the low quality of most studies [R].

Animal-Assisted Therapy

Animal-assisted therapy is a strategy in which therapy animals—often dogs or horses—are used to calm a patient and improve psychological symptoms. Physical human-animal interactions appear to trigger some types of dopamine signalling in the brain, which may partially explain how they work [R].

Several studies on war veterans with PTSD show that horse-assisted therapy can improve PTSD symptoms [R, R, R, R, R].

Similarly, dog-assisted therapy has been reported to improve PTSD in children [R, R].

Yoga, meditation, and animal-assisted therapy may improve PTSD symptoms through dopamine signalling.

Diet

Soy

Ingesting soybean proteins increased the amount of dopamine in the blood of healthy volunteers [R].

A fermented soy product normalized steroidal hormones in war veterans with treatment-resistant PTSD, leading to improved mental and physical wellness [R].

In rats with PTSD, the soy isoflavone genistein reduced anxiety and prevented chronic stress-induced memory impairment [R, R].

Soybeans may help increase blood dopamine and normalize steroid hormone levels, making them potentially helpful in PTSD.

Supplements

NAC

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) may improve dopamine signalling and support the health of dopamine neurons [R].

In a small study of combat veterans with PTSD and a history of substance abuse, supplementation with NAC enhanced the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy on both PTSD symptoms and substance cravings [R].

A study to evaluate the effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine for treatment-resistant PTSD is underway [R].

NAC improved PTSD symptoms in a small study of combat veterans, possibly by improving dopamine signalling.

Author photo
Jasmine Foster
BSc, BEd

Jasmine received her BS from McGill University and her BEd from Vancouver Island University.

Jasmine loves helping people understand their brains and bodies, a passion that grew out of her dual background in biology and education. From the chem lab to the classroom, everyone has the right to learn and make informed decisions about their health.

Disclaimer

The information on this website has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other official medical body. This information is presented for educational purposes only, and may not be used to diagnose or treat any illness or disease.

Also keep in mind that the “Risk Score” presented in this post is based only on a select number of SNPs, and therefore only represents a small portion of your total risk as an individual. Furthermore, these analyses are based primarily on associational studies, which do not necessarily imply causation. Finally, many other (non-genetic) factors can also play a significant role in the development of a disease or health condition — therefore, carrying any of the risk-associated genotypes discussed in this post does not necessarily mean you are at increased risk of developing a major health condition.

Always consult your doctor before acting on any information or recommendations discussed in this post — especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have been officially diagnosed with a medical condition.

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