Understanding the Contribution of Paternal PTSD to Offspring Pain Susceptibility

Paediatric chronic pain is defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain as persistent or recurring pain that lasts for longer than three months. The majority of children suffering from chronic pain end up become adults suffering from chronic pain. Chronic pain and mental health issue (PTSD, depression, anxiety) co-morbidity is prevalent among Veterans. Out of one sample of 90 veterans with PTSD, 66% of them also reported having chronic pain. It is hypothesised that the children of veterans with PTSD and chronic pain co-morbidity have a significantly higher risk of developing chronic pain problems. However, only one empirical study in the United States has examined chronic pain in the children of veterans. Therefore, further research in this area is required in order to characterize the prevalence of Veteran children’s chronic pain. Characterization of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in paternal transmission of chronic pain from Veterans to their children is also required. The primary purpose of this study is to characterize the epigenetic mechanisms of transmission of pediatric chronic pain from fathers to their offspring, using a clinically relevant and robust animal model of combat induced PTSD.