356 | id == 356
356 | category_id == 22
356 | category_order == 19
356 | category_name == Trauma
356 | category_color == #C47AC0
356 | slug == ACE-PTSD
356 | title == A Genetic Link Between Fear and PTSD (ACE)
356 | meta_description == ACE codes for an enzyme involved in fear responses. A variant of ACE may increase risk of PTSD. Read more here.
356 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong>The <em>ACE</em> gene codes for an enzyme that converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Angiotensin II may be involved in fear-based memories and stress associated with PTSD. Read more to learn about the link between a variant of <em>ACE</em> and increased risk of PTSD, and how to mitigate the negative effects of this variant.&nbsp;</strong></p>
356 | overall_score_text == Your PTSD Score (based on ACE gene)
356 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/ACE-PTSD.jpg
356 | author_id == 14
356 | author_name == Shany Lahan
356 | author_title == MS (Neuroscience)
356 | author_order == 5
356 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Shany.webp
356 | author_intro == <p>Shany received her MSc in Neuroscience from Western University.</p>    <p>Prior to joining SelfDecode, Shany conducted research related to Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease, and taught science to undergraduate students. She believes that research should be accessible to everyone, regardless of scientific background. Shany joined SelfDecode&nbsp;with a mission to help others optimize their health and wellbeing &ndash; as well as help them understand the science behind it all.</p>
356 | reviewer == None
356 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
356 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
356 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
356 | publish_date == 2020
356 | publish_date == 9
356 | publish_date == 25
356 | avg_rating == 5.0
356 | tags_id == 745
356 | tags_name == ACE Gene
356 | tags_id == 742
356 | tags_name == Amygdala
356 | tags_id == 746
356 | tags_name == Angiotensin II
356 | tags_id == 112
356 | tags_name == Anxiety
356 | tags_id == 172
356 | tags_name == Blood Pressure
356 | tags_id == 741
356 | tags_name == Fear
356 | tags_id == 50
356 | tags_name == Stress
356 | permissions_favorite == False
356 | permissions_rate == False
356 | content_article == <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Summary</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">ACE </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">codes for angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE). A variant of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">ACE </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">may play a role in PTSD by enhancing fear-based memories and promoting symptoms of stress. Lifestyle, diet, and supplement modifications may counteract the effects of this variant by inhibiting activity of ACE, or lowering levels of ACE and angiotensin II.</span></span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>ACE</em> and PTSD</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The</span><a href="../../../gene/ace/"> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">ACE </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">gene</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> codes for angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE), which can raise blood pressure by converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a protein that constricts blood vessels [</span><a href="https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/ACE"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Angiotensin II exerts its effects on blood pressure by activating angiotensin receptors. Therefore, medications that physically block angiotensin receptors (angiotensin receptor blockers) or inhibit the activity of ACE (ACE inhibitors) are commonly prescribed to ameliorate high blood pressure [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17970613/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Interestingly, these medications are also prescribed for other conditions, such as </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/ptsd-causes-treatments/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">PTSD</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. While individuals with PTSD often have high blood pressure that may be regulated by angiotensin receptor blockers or ACE inhibitors, recent evidence suggests that these medications may also help regulate responses to fear-based memories [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23371434/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11485112/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18285758/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">,</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22687631/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Indeed, individuals with PTSD often experience symptoms of </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/63-factors-raising-stress-cortisol-level-backed-science/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">stress</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and hyperarousal (anxiety) in response to events that elicit traumatic, fear-based memories. In line with this, angiotensin receptors can be found in the amygdala, a region of the brain well-known to be involved in fear responses [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24094510/">R</a>,<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25921615/"> R</a>].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A reduction in angiotensin receptors was observed in the amygdala of a mouse model of PTSD after treatment with a common angiotensin receptor blocker. The mice were also trained to expect (and therefore fear) a shock to their feet upon hearing a certain sound. Treatment with the angiotensin receptor blocker reduced symptoms of fear in these mice when exposed to the same sound. These findings suggest that angiotensin receptor blockers are able to act on the amygdala and ameliorate fear-based memories, thus reducing symptoms of PTSD [<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24094510/">R</a>].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">A variant of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">ACE</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> has been associated with increased risk of PTSD. Although the mechanism behind this association has not yet been elucidated, it&rsquo;s possible that this variant produces ACEs with increased enzymatic activity. This would result in increased levels of angiotensin II, which can act on angiotensin receptors in the amygdala to enhance fear-based memories and promote symptoms of stress and anxiety in PTSD [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25921615/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Your <em>ACE</em> Results for PTSD</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">*5420975099296199*</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Primary SNP: </strong><strong><em>ACE</em></strong> <a href="../../../snp/rs4311/"><strong>rs4311</strong></a></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; = Increased risk of PTSD and its associated symptoms</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Not associated with PTSD</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;">*9081475672338537*</p> <h2 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Recommendations for Reducing Symptoms of PTSD</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">*5001174661556385*</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Lifestyle</strong></h3> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Exercise</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Individuals who regularly take part in physical </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/top-14-proven-health-benefits-exercise-references-mechanisms/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">exercise</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> have been observed to experience lower levels of neuroticism, anxiety, and depression. Conversely, a number of studies have shown that individuals who do not exercise regularly may be at increased risk of anxiety [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16439008"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26088005/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Physical exercise interventions based on aerobic exercise, resistance training, or both improved PTSD in multiple trials. While aerobic exercise was more effective at reducing stress and anxiety, resistance training also helped ameliorate PTSD symptoms (such as hyperarousal) and tolerance to stress [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29049901/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29076530/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29145076/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15869081/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24911173/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25443996/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31743507/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a randomized controlled trial, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise was found to reduce blood pressure by lowering levels of both ACE and angiotensin II [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28231078/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Exercise may reduce symptoms of PTSD by lowering levels of ACE and angiotensin II.&nbsp;</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Diet&nbsp;</strong></h3> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Tea (L-Theanine &amp; Catechins)</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://content.selfdecode.com/blog/theanine/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">L-theanine</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is an amino acid found in white tea, black tea, </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/green-tea/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">green tea</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and oolong. L-theanine has been widely praised for its calming effects [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18296328"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In animal studies, L-theanine was found to alleviate behavioral symptoms of PTSD [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25837925/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4137547/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Taken after the performance of mental tasks, L-theanine alleviated symptoms of stress while also lowering heart rate and blood pressure. Indeed, green tea and </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/rooibos-tea/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rooibos tea</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> were found to inhibit ACE activity in a small randomized controlled trial [</span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16930802"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3518171/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20144258/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">ACE activity was also observed to be inhibited by catechins, such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Catechins are antioxidants found in tea [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26323573/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In an animal study, EGCG diminished cognitive and behavioral symptoms of PTSD [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30273101/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Researchers have yet to study the effects of tea, L-theanine, or catechins on humans with PTSD. However, current research on animals, as well as the benefits of L-theanine on stress in humans, suggest promising future results. </span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Tea contains L-theanine and catechins, which may reduce symptoms of PTSD by inhibiting ACE activity.&nbsp;</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Supplements</strong></h3> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Curcumin (Turmeric)</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/curcumin-cures-top-15-scientifically-proven-health-benefits-with-references/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Curcumin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is an active compound found in turmeric [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664031/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In rats with PTSD, curcumin ameliorated fear-based memories and reduced symptoms of anxiety [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6029466/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4367473/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although studies focusing on curcumin supplementation have yet to be conducted on human participants with PTSD, its benefits on general symptoms of anxiety and neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression suggest promise for future studies [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28135888/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In two animal studies, curcumin was observed to significantly decrease the production of ACE [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10666014/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10991907/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Curcumin (turmeric) may ameliorate fear-based memories and reduce anxiety in PTSD by decreasing production of ACE.&nbsp;</span></p>
356 | content_snp_table_5420975099296199_key == 5420975099296199
356 | content_snp_table_5420975099296199_blur == True
356 | content_snp_table_5420975099296199_hidden == False
356 | content_learn_more_9081475672338537_key == 9081475672338537
356 | content_learn_more_9081475672338537_blur == True
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356 | content_learn_more_9081475672338537_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your ACE gene makes you somewhat more likely to develop PTSD. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of PTSD; it’s just one gene related to it. Exercise, tea (L-theanine and catechins), and curcumin (turmeric) supplements may help. Keep scrolling to find out more.
356 | content_recommendation_5001174661556385_key == 5001174661556385
356 | content_recommendation_5001174661556385_blur == True
356 | content_recommendation_5001174661556385_hidden == False
rsIDs = rs4311
rsStatus = rs4311,ACE,chr17,63483402,T,C,,,6,22,HET
