Biomarkers, a Diagnostic Tool for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; Promising Horizons in Neuroscience Research

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a heterogeneous disorder that affects people at risk for trauma. Although its diagnostic features have been reclassified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Version 5 (DSM-5), the disorder is characterized by excessive and unwanted trauma reminders as well as the avoidance of trauma reminders. Cognitive patterns and negative moods of this heterogeneity indicate multiple neurological mechanisms in the context of PTSD. Research over the past few decades has shown several potential ways to identify diagnostic biomarkers for PTSD. These include monoadrenergic transmission systems, the hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal axis (HPA), metabolic, hormonal pathways, inflammatory mechanisms, psychophysiological reactions, and cerebral neural circuits. The present study presents the research literature concerning the most promising biomarkers in diagnosing PTSD with special emphasis on the interaction between neurological effects on disease risk and progression of symptoms. Such biomarkers are likely to be identified by multidimensional models derived from comprehensive descriptions of molecular, neurological, behavioral, and clinical phenotypes.

Post-traumatic stress disorder biomarkers can provide promising horizons for early diagnosis and treatment of the disorder and provide clinicians with tools to make more accurate diagnoses of the disorder. Also, the existing research literature in this field can serve the biological contexts related to PTSD symptoms and future studies' goals.