Post-traumatic stress disorder and potential biomarkers: a critical review
Post-traumatic stress disorder and potential biomarkers: a critical review

Summary/Abstract: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is introduced by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5 TR) (2022) as a mental health condition that impacts approximately 6.8% of U.S. adults. Despite the abundant literature on the psychological underpinnings of PTSD, biological mechanisms are not well understood. Additionally, critical reviews are far and few between with regard to physiological research on PTSD. As such, it is crucial to explore the underlying biological mechanisms in addition to the psychological elements of PTSD etiology. Biomarkers are introduced as a potential indicator for exploring physiological and psychological symptoms, distinguishing diagnosis, and predicting symptom severity, intensity, and duration. While research supports biomarkers as an accurate indicator for understanding PTSD pathology, a clinically validated biomarker test has yet to be developed. This critical review evaluates the relevant literature related to biological markers and PTSD to identify strengths, limitations, and future directions in biomarker research as it relates to PTSD etiology. This critical review reveals that despite the robust internal and validity methods in biomarker PTSD research, the methodologies are limited in the scope of generalizability, inclusion of diversity and intersectionality interactions, and flexibility for complex presentations. Much of the literature also fails to incorporate treatment directions or clinical application suggestions, as much of the biomarker findings are too vague or complex for accessible implementation. Despite the limitations in methodology, this critical review concludes that biomarkers are the first step in facilitating an integrative and holistic approach to our understanding of PTSD pathology. Future directions include the application of biomarker research on PTSD treatment, progression of symptomology, prevention, and protective factors, and the development of a universal biomarker test for PTSD that is generalizable.

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