Award
National Institute of Mental Health 5R01MH129495-05
Extracellular vesicles as biomarkers of trauma exposure and PTSD risk
Recipient
University of Colorado Denver
Award Amount
$720,280.00
Ceiling
$720,280.00
Awarded
August 05, 2026
Identifier
5R01MH129495-05
This award funds research to identify biomarkers related to trauma exposure and PTSD risk, focusing on extracellular vesicles and psychophysiological measures in a longitudinal cohort, with translational studies in mice.
Description
Exposure to interpersonal violence (IPV) is associated with long-term negative mental health consequences, including an increased risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially in women. Previous studies have shown that IPV experienced during specific developmental windows, particularly between ages 14-18, is linked to increased psychophysiological reactivity and a unique extracellular vesicle (EV) protein signature belonging to a 17q21 gene cluster, associated with skin keratinocytes and Merkel cells. The study hypothesizes that tactile-based IPV trauma during late adolescence increases threat circuitry sensitivity, involving the skin Merkel cell-neurite complex, and aims to identify accessible biomarkers through molecular and physiological analyses.