Significance In the present study we investigated the epigenetic pattern of genes involved in the regulation of glucocorticoid receptor signaling in two African populations of heavily traumatized individuals. The strongest link between regional methylation and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) risk and symptoms was observed for NTRK2 , which has been shown to play an important role in memory formation. NTRK2 methylation was not related to trauma load, suggesting that methylation differences preexisted the trauma. Furthermore, NTRK2 methylation was found to be related to memory and memory-related brain activity in healthy nontraumatized individuals. The present findings suggest that epigenetic modifications of NTRK2 are involved in memory modulation in health, and in influencing risk and symptoms of PTSD in case of traumatic experiences.