# Genetics of Cannabis use and Trauma-related phenotypes

> **NIH NIH F31** · VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $38,923

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 The college years encompass a period of increased risk for substance use, and in particular, cannabis use
(CU), as well as a time of increased risk for trauma exposure and resulting posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Given the high comorbidity between substance use disorders such as cannabis use disorder (CUD) and PTSD,
as well as the troubling consequences of the comorbidity (e.g., increased risk of suicide and treatment dropout),
there is a need to understand the etiologic mechanisms of these commonly comorbid conditions. Two primary
phenotypic models exist: self-medication model (i.e., PTSD à CUD) and the high-risk model (i.e., CUD à
PTSD). To date, there are no existing studies longitudinally examining the etiologic models proposed to explain
co-occurring CUD and PTSD in a college sample. Thus, Aim 1 will examine these models of comorbidity in a
large (N=9,891) longitudinal study of college students (Spit 4 Science [S4S]; NIAAA-R37 AA011408, PIs Kenneth
Kendler & Danielle Dick). CU and trauma-related phenotypes have been shown to be moderately heritable. Thus,
Aim 2 will use large consortia data to generate aggregate genetic risk of CU via polygenic risk scores (PRS) to
examine in relation to CU frequency in S4S. Additional analyses for training purposes include: a) GCTA; b)
GWAS to produce summary statistics to contribute to meta-analytic efforts of the consortia; and c) targeted
replication of consortia GWAS hits. Given evidence of heritability, as well as overlapping heritability of CU and
trauma-related phenotypes, examination of genetic risk is also needed. Thus, Aim 3 will further examine etiologic
models proposed to explain CUD and PTSD comorbidity using PRS for CU and PTSD as potential moderators.
 This NRSA proposal has four training goals, which were developed in collaboration with the mentorship
team: 1) to become knowledgeable in the scientific and clinical knowledge of CU and trauma-related phenotypes;
2) to develop expertise in longitudinal modeling and management (i.e., handling of missing data) of phenotypic
data; 3) to obtain advanced training in statistical methods for analysis of molecular genetics; and 4) to further
advance professional development skills. The training plan to meet these goals includes a number of
complementary approaches, such as formal coursework and didactics (e.g., seminars, workshops), individual
mentorship, advanced statistical training, dissemination activities, training in the ethical conduct of research, and
experience with grantsmanship activities. The proposed NRSA study is also clinically significant, in that it—in
combination with studies that come from it—may increase our understanding of genetic and environmental
factors underlying CUD and PTSD comorbidity, potentially informing the development of targeted prevention and
early intervention strategies. These aims align well with the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s (NIDA) mission,
which emphasizes clinically relevant tra...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10132181
- **Project number:** 5F31DA048559-02
- **Recipient organization:** VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Terrell Alexander Hicks
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $38,923
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-03-16 → 2023-03-15

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10132181

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10132181, Genetics of Cannabis use and Trauma-related phenotypes (5F31DA048559-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10132181. Licensed CC0.

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