369 | id == 369
369 | category_id == 22
369 | category_order == 19
369 | category_name == Trauma
369 | category_color == #C47AC0
369 | slug == ESR1-PTSD
369 | title == Can Sex Hormones Influence PTSD? (ESR1)
369 | meta_description == ESR1 can impact the production of a protein implicated in fear. Variants of ESR1 have been associated with PTSD. Read more here.
369 | summary == <p style="text-align:justify"><strong>The <em>ESR1 </em>gene codes for estrogen receptor &alpha;. Variants of this gene may impact the production of protein BDNF. BDNF helps form brain cell connections in a region of the brain implicated in extinguishing automatic stress responses. Read more to learn about <em>ESR1 </em>variants, and about recommendations you may follow to potentially mitigate their effects.</strong></p>
369 | overall_score_text == Your PTSD Score (based on ESR1 gene)
369 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/ESR1-PTSD.jpg
369 | author_id == 14
369 | author_name == Shany Lahan
369 | author_title == MS (Neuroscience)
369 | author_order == 5
369 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Shany.webp
369 | 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>
369 | reviewer == None
369 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
369 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
369 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
369 | publish_date == 2020
369 | publish_date == 9
369 | publish_date == 30
369 | avg_rating == 5.0
369 | tags_id == 159
369 | tags_name == BDNF
369 | tags_id == 733
369 | tags_name == ESR1 Gene
369 | tags_id == 133
369 | tags_name == Estrogen
369 | tags_id == 760
369 | tags_name == Fear Extinction
369 | tags_id == 532
369 | tags_name == Hippocampus
369 | tags_id == 57
369 | tags_name == Synaptic Plasticity
369 | permissions_favorite == False
369 | permissions_rate == False
369 | 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;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">ESR1 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">gene codes for estrogen receptor &alpha;. Variants of this gene may influence PTSD by decreasing production of protein BDNF. BDNF can form brain cell connections within the hippocampus, a brain region necessary for extinguishing automatic stress responses. Lifestyle and supplement modifications may counteract the effects of these variants by increasing production of BDNF.</span></span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em>ESR1</em> and PTSD</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><a href="https://selfdecode.com/gene/esr1/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">ESR1 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">gene</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> codes for estrogen receptor &alpha;. Upon binding by estrogens, this receptor is able to regulate the production of proteins [</span><a href="https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/ESR1"><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;">Estrogens are a group of sex hormones whose levels normally fluctuate in accordance with menstrual cycles of women. While low levels of estrogens have long been linked to mood disturbances and anxiety, administration of estrogens to women with low estrogen levels has been shown to enhance mood and reduce anxiety [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16554740/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&amp;db=PubMed&amp;dopt=Abstract&amp;list_uids=7632640"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&amp;db=PubMed&amp;dopt=Abstract&amp;list_uids=219802"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/1301067#ref-CR1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&amp;db=PubMed&amp;dopt=Abstract&amp;list_uids=8598756"><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;">Estrogen receptor &alpha; can be found in abundance in the hippocampus, where binding by estrogens can increase production of </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/a-comprehensive-list-of-natural-ways-to-increase-bdnf/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">BDNF</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> -- a protein essential to the expansion and survival of brain cells (neurons) during brain development. BDNF is also important in strengthening, weakening, and reorganizing connections between neurons (</span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/synaptic-plasticity/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">neuroplasticity</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">) [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16554740/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9518642/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2329377/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23873366/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24668475/"><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;">Among its many roles, the hippocampus is essential to fear extinction: the process of extinguishing automatic stress responses when exposed to similar details (e.g., sights, sounds, or smells) of an event that previously elicited fear [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30988377/"><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;">Fear extinction is greatly impaired in individuals with </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/ptsd-causes-treatments/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">PTSD</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Not surprisingly, many studies have observed abnormal neuronal connectivity and activity of the hippocampus in PTSD [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29550677/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16891563/"><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;">Variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">ESR1 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">have been associated with PTSD. These variants may lower production of estrogen receptor &alpha;, which may lead to decreased production of BDNF, abnormal neuronal connection formation, and reductions in hippocampal activity. Ultimately, this may result in impaired fear extinction and magnified symptoms of PTSD [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29250928/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30470649/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16554740/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h2 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Your <em>ESR1</em> Results for PTSD</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">*5049205190417381*</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Primary SNP: </strong><strong><em>ESR1 </em></strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs9340799/"><strong>rs9340799</strong></a></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = Increased risk of PTSD</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;G&rsquo; = Not associated with PTSD</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Other Important SNP: </strong><strong><em>ESR1 </em></strong><a href="https://selfdecode.com/snp/rs2234693/"><strong>rs2234693</strong></a></p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Increased risk of PTSD</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;T&rsquo; =&nbsp; Not associated with PTSD</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;">*3797461085891001*</p> <h2 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Recommendations for Reducing Symptoms of PTSD</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">*8706578385457389*</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">As risk variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">ESR1 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">may decrease production of estrogen receptor &alpha;, it might seem logical to try and increase production of estrogen receptor &alpha; in an attempt to reduce symptoms of PTSD. However, an increased number of estrogen receptors may result in increased binding of these receptors by estrogens. This may promote the development of breast cancer, or lead to other undesired effects [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16421368/"><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;">Individuals carrying risk variants of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">ESR1 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">should therefore focus on increasing production of BDNF instead, which may strengthen connectivity of the hippocampus, regulate fear extinction, and reduce symptoms of PTSD.</span></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;">There is abundant evidence showing that </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/top-14-proven-health-benefits-exercise-references-mechanisms/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">physical exercise</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> can promote neuroplasticity [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17879376/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16298350/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20869354/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29959048/"><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;">Similarly, numerous studies have demonstrated increases in BDNF levels after exercise interventions. In two animal studies, physical exercise was found to increase the amount of BDNF specifically in the hippocampus [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21907264/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24120943/"><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;">Individuals who regularly take part in physical </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">exercise</span><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 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="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Exercise may reduce symptoms of PTSD by increasing the amount of BDNF in the hippocampus.</span></p> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Yoga</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/health-benefits-yoga/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yoga</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> has been shown to reduce stress in a number of studies, and a large body of evidence similarly supports its benefits in regards to anxiety reduction [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24049209"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25558129"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26228429"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3111147/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19341989"><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;">A yoga</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">program named &ldquo;trauma-sensitive yoga&rdquo; has been associated with reduced symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety in individuals with PTSD [</span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27502798"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5393408/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28747121/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26133204/"><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 individuals with depression, yoga was found to significantly increase levels of BDNF in the blood. This effect was similar to that of a conventional medication [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24049208"><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 study of older adults, an exercise intervention containing a yoga sequence was found to increase blood levels of BDNF. This finding was associated with an increase in hippocampal size, suggesting that BDNF was promoting the formation of new brain cells and brain cell connections in these individuals [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21282661/"><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;">Yoga may reduce symptoms of PTSD by increasing the amount of BDNF in the hippocampus.</span></p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Supplements</strong></h3> <h4 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Fish Oil (Omega-3)</strong></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/fish-oil-top-22-science-based-health-benefits-of-fish-oil/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fish oil</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> contains DHA and EPA, two types of omega-3 fatty acids [</span><a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/"><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;">Low levels of DHA have been associated with PTSD. Conversely, supplementation of omega-3 and consequent high levels of EPA have been associated with reduced severity of PTSD symptoms after traumatic injury [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27567082/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27552592/"><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;">Many studies have shown that fish oil can increase the amount of BDNF in the brain and promote neuroplasticity [</span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31098654/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21720194/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16500747/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30367533/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23872044/"><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;">Fish oil (omega-3) supplements may reduce symptoms of PTSD by increasing the amount of BDNF in the hippocampus.&nbsp;</span></p>
369 | content_snp_table_5049205190417381_key == 5049205190417381
369 | content_snp_table_5049205190417381_blur == True
369 | content_snp_table_5049205190417381_hidden == False
369 | content_learn_more_3797461085891001_key == 3797461085891001
369 | content_learn_more_3797461085891001_blur == True
369 | content_learn_more_3797461085891001_hidden == False
369 | content_learn_more_3797461085891001_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your ESR1 gene makes you somewhat more likely to develop PTSD and its associated symptoms. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of PTSD; it’s just one gene related to it. Exercise, yoga, and fish oil (omega-3) may help. Keep scrolling to find out more.
369 | content_recommendation_8706578385457389_key == 8706578385457389
369 | content_recommendation_8706578385457389_blur == True
369 | content_recommendation_8706578385457389_hidden == False
rsIDs = rs9340799,rs2234693
rsStatus = rs9340799,ESR1,chr6,151842246,A,G,,,17,28,HET
rsStatus = rs2234693,ESR1,chr6,151842200,T,C,G,,29,16,HET
