Background: The “biological susceptibility” model posits that some individuals, by genetic
predisposition, are highly sensitive to environmental stimuli. Exposure to adverse stimuli …

Modulation of serotonin transporter (5‐HTT) function causes changes in affective behavior,
both in humans and rodents. Stressful life events likewise affect emotional behavior. In …

Genetic variation in serotonin transporter (SERT) that reduces transcriptional efficiency is
associated with higher anxiety and fear traits and a greater incidence of post traumatic stress …

Background: Methodological problems of existing research, such as the application of
unstandardized treatments in heterogeneous samples, has hampered clear conclusions …

Effect of predator stress on rat and mouse anxiety-like behavior may model aspects of post
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A single cat exposure of wild type (C57, CFW) mice can …

Over the past years, certain “vulnerability genes” have been identified that play a key role in
the development of mood and anxiety disorders. In particular, a low-expressing variant of the …

Epidemiological evidence links exposure to stressful life events with increased risk for
mental illness. However, there is significant individual variability in vulnerability to …

Adolescence is a developmental phase characterized by emotional turmoil and coincides
with the emergence of affective disorders. Inherited serotonin transporter (5-HTT) …

Rationale Rats exposed to an uncontrollable stressor demonstrate a constellation of
behaviors such as exaggerated freezing and deficits in shuttle box escape learning. These …

Early life adversity in the form of childhood abuse has been associated with increased risk
for the development of psychiatric disorders such as major depression. 1, 2 Recent reviews …