Early life adversity can increase an individual's vulnerability to stress, which in turn increases their predisposition to psychiatric disorders. Researchers have found that variations in the FKBP5 gene can further predispose a person to stress vulnerability—demonstrating the complex gene x environment interplay at work in psychiatric disorders. This article published by Research Outreach shares results of a study using a novel mouse line generated by Taconic Biosciences to elucidate the underlying mechanisms that can alter the stress-response network. These mice, which had either the A/T or G/C allele of the FKBP5 gene, were used by researchers at Boehringer Ingelheim to better understand how the combination of genetic and environmental factors may lead to abnormal stress responses and vulnerability to psychiatric disorders:
"These findings provide a clearer understanding of the effects of FKBP5 genetic predisposition and ELA on both the stress response system, neurophysiology, and behavior in adulthood. By elucidating such mechanisms, biomarkers for potential therapies to counter the risk to develop (psychiatric) disorders due to negative effects of FKBP5 gene mutations can be investigated."
Read the complete article here.