Epigenetics, Early Adversity and Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Psychopathology
Edward D Barker

Abstract

Epigenetic modification, such as DNA methylation (DNAm), is a mechanism that can help explain how early adversities can engender long-term vulnerability for mental health problems. At present, there is preliminary evidence to support the possibility of epigenetic mediation: environmental factors are reported to influence offspring DNAm, which in turn associate with child and adolescent psychopathology. However, all analyses have been correlational in nature and, as these studies have focussed on children and adolescents, DNAm has been based on peripheral tissue (cord blood, whole blood, buccal cells). Therefore, the extent to which DNAm could represent a causal mechanism (e.g., a surrogate of central nervous system function) or a biomarker (i.e., an indicator of the pathological process leading to disease) is unclear. This short report has 2 main components. First, 2 studies are summarized, one a candidate gene study and the other an epigenome-wide association study in which DNAm was reported to (partially) mediate the link between adversity and child development. Second, there is a discussion of (1) the "tissue issue," (2) maximizing the interpretability of candidate gene and epigenome-wide approaches, and (3) the need for exa...Continue Reading

References

May 23, 2015·Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery·Moshe Szyf
Aug 2, 2015·Current Environmental Health Reports·Christine Ladd-Acosta
Oct 28, 2015·Epigenomics·Christine Ladd-Acosta, M Daniele Fallin
Mar 26, 2016·The American Journal of Psychiatry·Catherine MonkBenjamin Tycko
Aug 31, 2016·Annual Review of Psychology·Andrea Danese, Jessie R Baldwin
Oct 21, 2016·Neuropsychopharmacology : Official Publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology·Andrea Danese, Stephanie J Lewis
Nov 16, 2016·Molecular Psychiatry·C LiuD Levy
Nov 22, 2016·Alzheimer's & Dementia : the Journal of the Alzheimer's Association·Sid E O'BryantUNKNOWN Biofluid Based Biomarker Professional Interest Area
Jan 18, 2017·Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports·Kelly M BakulskiM Daniele Fallin
Jul 12, 2017·American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric Genetics : the Official Publication of the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics·Andrew RatanatharathornAlicia K Smith
Jul 25, 2017·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines·Edward D BarkerCharlotte A M Cecil
Oct 17, 2017·Annual Review of Psychology·Meaghan J JonesMichael S Kobor

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Apr 30, 2021·The Lancet. Psychiatry·Demelza SmeethMichael Pluess
Sep 17, 2021·Epigenetics : Official Journal of the DNA Methylation Society·Katharina MattonetRobert Kumsta

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.