Early life adversity and the epigenetic programming of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function.
Title | Early life adversity and the epigenetic programming of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2014 |
Authors | Anacker C, O'Donnell K, Meaney MJ |
Journal | Dialogues Clin Neurosci |
Volume | 16 |
Issue | 3 |
Pagination | 321-33 |
Date Published | 2014 Sep |
ISSN | 1958-5969 |
Keywords | Animals, Child Abuse, Child, Preschool, Developmental Disabilities, Epigenesis, Genetic, Humans, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Pituitary-Adrenal System |
Abstract | We review studies with human and nonhuman species that examine the hypothesis that epigenetic mechanisms, particularly those affecting the expression of genes implicated in stress responses, mediate the association between early childhood adversity and later risk of depression. The resulting studies provide evidence consistent with the idea that social adversity, particularly that involving parent-offspring interactions, alters the epigenetic state and expression of a wide range of genes, the products of which regulate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function. We also address the challenges for future studies, including that of the translation of epigenetic studies towards improvements in treatments. |
Alternate Journal | Dialogues Clin Neurosci |
PubMed ID | 25364283 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC4214175 |