A groundbreaking discovery for PTSD

Following the study, Dr. Liu and her team developed a peptide to target and disrupt the protein complex, and in turn, reduce — or prevent — PTSD symptoms. The peptide is undergoing rigorous laboratory testing before it eventually enters human clinical trials.

There are currently no laboratory diagnostic tests for PTSD, and existing treatments have limited efficacy. PTSD is an illness that has a significant impact on Canadian society. According to a recent study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, Canada has the highest prevalence of PTSD among the 24 countries included in the study, and 9.2 per cent of Canadians will develop PTSD in their lifetimes.

Dr. Liu and her team are filing a patent for their protein complex, putting CAMH in a unique position to drive this work forward. They have applied for a research grant from the Canadian Department of National Defence and have also elicited interest from the United States Armed Forces. With the right philanthropic support, this research could change — and save — the lives of those suffering from PTSD.

“This issue affects everybody. PTSD has far-reaching consequences for individuals, their families, friends and communities. We need to take care of people who have gone through trauma,” says Dr. Liu. “We’re creating new ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating PTSD, so they can lead healthy, fulfilling lives.”