Is FKBP5 gene a modulator of the psychosis-inducing effects of childhood trauma?

Abstract

Childhood trauma (CT) have been associated with an increased risk for both, psychotic symptoms in clinical samples and psychotic experiences (PEs) in the general population. However, the individual variation in response to stress (e.g: trauma) has been postulated to be modulated by genetic factors. The FKBP5 protein plays a central role in determining the sensitivity of the glucucorticoid receptors and constitutes a key mechanism for terminating the HPA axis response. Two recent studies seem to suggest that the variability of this gene can moderate the relationship between CT and PE in the general population Based on previous literature, the aim of the present study was to explore in two new independent samples from the general population (S1 and S2) if the genetic variability in FKBP5 modulates the association between CT and subclinical psychosis (i.e: PEs)