The Impact of the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene on Trauma and Spatial Processing

Abstract

The influence of genes and the environment on the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) continues to motivate neuropsychological research, with one consistent focus being the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) gene, given its impact on the integrity of the hippocampal memory system. Research into human navigation also considers the BDNF gene in relation to hippocampal dependent spatial processing. This speculative paper brings together trauma and spatial processing for the first time and presents exploratory research into their interactions with BDNF. We propose that quantifying the impact of BDNF on trauma and spatial processing is critical and may well explain individual differences in clinical trauma treatment outcomes and in navigation performance. Research has already shown that the BDNF gene influences PTSD severity and prevalence as well as navigation behaviour. However, more data are required to demonstrate the precise hippocampal dependent processing mechanisms behind these influences in different populations and environmental conditions. This paper provides insight from recent studies and calls for further research into the relationship between allocentric processing, trauma processing and BDNF. We argue that research into these neural mechanisms could transform PTSD clinical practice and professional support for individuals in trauma-exposing occupations such as emergency response, law enforcement and the military.

Serum BDNF and GDNF in Chinese male patients with deficit schizophrenia and their relationships with neurocognitive dysfunction

“…Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as one of NFs, is thought to be the key in the development and maintenance of cortical neurons and synapses. BDNF is widely distributed in the CNS and plays an important role in the survival, differentiation and growth of neurons during the developmental stages in neonatal individuals, synaptic plasticity and behavior in adulthood [3, 4]. Many evidences suggest that BDNF is involved in the pathophysiological process of schizophrenia [5].…”

Can police be trained in trauma processing to minimise PTSD symptoms? Feasibility and proof of concept with a newly recruited UK police population

“…Drawings and notes were categorised for being able to shift overhead perspective, changes in positive or negative feeling and recalling new detail. Being able to shift from one overhead perspective to another is demanding on the hippocampus (Miller et al ., 2017) and variation in performance on this measure provided a good baseline by which to gauge the benefits of alternative spatial techniques. Noting positive feeling change and new recall were taken to be basic measures of the techniques’ potential to address the emotional resonance and memory of an incident.…”

“…Some variation in participants’ hippocampal-dependent processing emanated from age and previous trauma exposure. Given neuropsychological evidence that age and trauma exposure impair hippocampal function (even in non-clinical populations), this is not surprising (Miller et al ., 2017). Previous trauma was also a factor in participants’ ability to recall new details about the event and this makes sense if we acknowledge established evidence that trauma impairs episodic memory function (Kesner et al ., 2008).…”

“…Alongside this degree of invisibility, stigma surrounding police traumatisation cannot be ignored (Heffren and Hasudorf, 2014). Even when science steps in to introduce a non-subjective understanding of trauma impact in policing – measuring changes in cognitive function and brain structure as a result of trauma disorder (Baldacara et al ., 2017, Miller et al ., 2017a, b) – these have not yet been framed in the context of resilience.…”

“…There are many challenges to this approach. One challenge is a conceptual one; all of us process our life experiences in our own ways with our own limitations – ranging from the legacy of previous trauma to even genetic disadvantage (Brewin et al ., 2000; Miller et al ., 2017). Randomised controlled trials in policing populations cannot realistically expect to control for all of this variance.…”