Fig. 4. DEX-stimulated effects on glucocorticoid regulatory genes.

We examined the effects of DEX on a curated list of 75 well-known glucocorticoid regulatory genes. A clear distinction for gene expression changes that were either suppressed or enhanced for DEX were identified for a PTSD− and b PTSD + participants. Dark solid lines indicate average splines across all DEX-induced increased (red) and decreased (blue) genes. c A total of 19 genes were consistently enhanced by DEX while 55 genes were consistently suppressed by DEX. Difference in the magnitude of gene for DEX-suppressed and –enhanced genes were evaluated for PTSD− and PTSD+ participants d at 2.5 nM, e 5 nM, and f 50 nM of DEX. A Wilcox-rank sum test was used to compare differences in distribution of log₂ fold-changes (FC) between groups. g GR-related genes that were significantly (Adj. p < 0.05) and uniquely differentially expressed in PTSD- participants following 2.5 nM of DEX. A full list across all dosages can be found in Table S6.