Detecting genetic heterogeneities in response to trauma: The case of 9/11

Abstract

The current study evaluates genetic heterogeneities in response to trauma among U.S. young adults. Using Add Health Wave III, which coincidently overlapped with the September 11 attacks, and a depression mean and variance polygenic scores, we investigate how the polygenic scores moderate the causal effect of 9/11 on mental health. Our results show the presence of genetic heterogeneity, where those with high genetic plasticity experience an increase in depressive symptoms following trauma while those with low genetic plasticity do not. While the documented differences in reactions to trauma are important, we also note our ability to predict responses based only on genetic measures are too imprecise to identify susceptible clinical patients. We, therefore, contend that the expected benefits from genetic screening to identify susceptible individuals after trauma are limited. Our results provide novel evidence of a specific source of an additional heterogeneity contributing to the inequality of health following trauma.

Keywords

• Diathesis stress model
• Genetic screening
• United States
• Young adult
• Variance polygenic score
• Regression discontinuity design