Molecular Basis of Stress- and Trauma-Related Disorders

Dear Colleagues,

Stress and the experience of traumatic events are risk factors for mental disorders, especially—but not exclusively—post-traumatic stress, major depressive and anxiety disorders. Several somatic disorders are also influenced by stressful and/or traumatic events, e.g., hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, obesity, etc. Research efforts have already identified molecular pathways and mechanisms contributing to the manifestation of disorders following stress and/or trauma. These include the epigenetic dysregulation of the HPA axis, (mal)-adaptations of the endocannabinoid system, as well as transcriptional changes following stress and/or trauma exposure that consequently lead to neuronal and behavioral adaptations. Furthermore, the immune system also plays a role in mediating the effects of stress and trauma on an individual’s health. 

However, to gain a deeper understanding of how stress and trauma interfere with molecular mechanisms and ultimately lead to a higher vulnerability to related disorders, the identification of further molecular pathways is warranted to fully appreciate the complex interactions between stress and/or trauma and various health outcomes. 

This Special Issue aims to present a collection of studies highlighting the latest cutting-edge and most recent developments and findings in the rapidly emerging field of molecular research on stress- and trauma-related disorders. 

Suggested publication topics will include, but are not limited to, studies concerning early-life stress, adult trauma, transgenerational transmission of stress and trauma experiences, neuropharmacology, epigenetics, genetics and genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, experimental models and preclinical studies in the format of full-length reviews or original articles. 

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Vanessa Nieratschker
Guest Editor

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• stress
• trauma
• epigenetics
• genetics
• molecular mechanisms
• transgenerational transmission
• neuronal adaptations
• transcriptomics
• proteomics
• metabolomics