Women with PTSD may be at risk of developing autoimmune problems, study suggests

By Staff Writer

A new study reveals that men and women have different immune system responses to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The study, which appears in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity, was conducted by researchers from the San Francisco VA Medical Center and the University of California-San Francisco. The findings were based on blood samples of 49 men, 24 of whom had PTSD, and 18 women, 10 of whom had the condition.

Researchers used gene monocyte technology to determine the participants' immune system functions in both the body and brain. Although they found no differences between males with PTSD and those who did not, they discovered significant alterations among female subjects.

Compared to women who did not have the disorder, females with PTSD showed an over-activated response in their immune system that can lead to conditions such as cardiovascular disease and arthritis.

Not only do the findings determine why certain individuals with PTSD develop autoimmune disorders, it may lead to more targeted treatment options for patients who suffer from the condition.

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