Neurogenetics leader decodes trauma's imprint on the brain through groundbreaking PTSD research

BELMONT, Massachusetts, USA, 4 February 2025 - In a comprehensive Genomic Press Interview, Dr. Kerry Ressler, Chief Scientific Officer at McLean Hospital and Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, unveils groundbreaking advances in understanding the neurobiological basis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related anxiety conditions.

Dr. Ressler's research bridges the gap between molecular neuroscience and clinical psychiatry, focusing on how the amygdala processes fear and trauma at cellular and genomic levels. "Most proximally, I hope that our work may lead to novel approaches to fear- and trauma-related disorders, perhaps even to prevent PTSD development in the first place," Dr. Ressler explains, highlighting the potential for intervention in emergency departments, on battlefields, or after mass disasters.

Recent breakthroughs from Dr. Ressler's lab include the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) of PTSD to date, analyzing over one million subjects and identifying approximately 100 significant genetic loci. This research, published in Nature Genetics (2024), represents a major step toward understanding PTSD's genetic architecture.

"The field of Psychiatry is in desperate need of early 'wins' demonstrating that a neurobiology and/or genomic understanding of any of our disorders are sufficiently mature to lead to science-driven rational intervention approaches," Dr. Ressler emphasizes, pointing to the urgent need for translating scientific discoveries into effective treatments.

The interview reveals how Dr. Ressler's journey from MIT computer science student to psychiatric neuroscience leader was shaped by early exposure to molecular biology and systems neuroscience. His work with Nobel laureate Dr. Linda Buck on olfactory receptors inspired his career-long focus on using molecular genomic tools to investigate psychiatric conditions.

Dr. Ressler's team employs cutting-edge technologies, including cellular calcium imaging and intersectional optogenetics, to understand the mechanisms underlying fear and trauma responses. Their research extends from basic science to clinical applications, with recent publications in Science (2024) presenting groundbreaking findings from postmortem brain studies of PTSD and depression.

Current research directions raise intriguing questions about the potential for early intervention in trauma response. Can understanding the biological processes of fear and trauma memory consolidation lead to preventive treatments? How might genetic insights inform personalized approaches to PTSD treatment?

Dr. Kerry Ressler’s Genomic Press interview is part of a larger series that highlights the people behind today’s most influential scientific ideas. Each interview in the series offers a blend of cutting-edge research and personal reflections, providing readers with a comprehensive view of the scientists shaping the future. By combining a focus on professional achievements with personal insights, this interview style invites a richer narrative that both engages and educates readers. This format provides an ideal starting point for profiles that delve into the scientist’s impact on the field, while also touching on broader human themes. More information on the research leaders and research rising stars featured by Genomic Press can be found in our publication website: https://genomicpress.kglmeridian.com/.

The full Genomic Press Interview, titled “Kerry J. Ressler: Exploring the translation of amygdala function at the cellular and genomic levels to understand stress, fear, and trauma disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),” is available on 4 February 2025 in Genomic Psychiatry, offering readers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the thoughts and experiences of one of the most influential minds in neuroscience and neurobiology of brain disorders. The article is freely available online at https://doi.org/10.61373/gp025k.0005.

About Genomic Psychiatry – Genomic Psychiatry: Advancing Science from Genes to Society (ISSN: 2997-2388) represents a paradigm shift in genetics journals by interweaving advances in genomics and genetics with progress in all other areas of contemporary psychiatry. Genomic Psychiatry publishes peer-reviewed medical research articles of the highest quality from any area within the continuum that goes from genes and molecules to neuroscience, clinical psychiatry, and public health.