The plasticity of development: how knowledge of epigenetics may advance understanding of eating disorders.
Title | The plasticity of development: how knowledge of epigenetics may advance understanding of eating disorders. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2014 |
Authors | Strober M, Peris T, Steiger H |
Journal | Int J Eat Disord |
Volume | 47 |
Issue | 7 |
Pagination | 696-704 |
Date Published | 2014 Nov |
ISSN | 1098-108X |
Keywords | Animals, Anxiety Disorders, Birth Weight, Disease Models, Animal, DNA Methylation, Environmental Exposure, Epigenesis, Genetic, Feeding and Eating Disorders, Female, Gene-Environment Interaction, Germ Cells, Humans, Male, Maternal Exposure, Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Paternal Exposure, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, Stress, Psychological |
Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To depict the processes through which animals and human beings engage their environment in continuously evolving states of conflict and cooperation.METHOD: Descriptive literature review.RESULTS: Life history outcomes are more relative than they are absolute. Genetic variations play a crucial role, but heavily influencing behavioral outcomes, psychopathology included, are external cues that epigenetically remodel DNA along experience-dependent signaling pathways. The result is phenotypes that either optimize adjustment, or constrain it.DISCUSSION: Knowledge of epigenetic mechanisms may help shed new light on the origin of maturational phenotypes underlying eating disorders and why adjusting treatments to these realities warrants our attention. |
DOI | 10.1002/eat.22322 |
Alternate Journal | Int J Eat Disord |
PubMed ID | 24976293 |