Early Life Adversity, Genomic Plasticity, and Psychopathology

Overview

Journal Lancet Psychiatry

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2015 Sep 12

PMID 26361201

Citations 52

Authors

Gustavo Turecki

Vanessa Kiyomi Ota

Sintia Iole Belangero

Andrea Jackowski

Joan Kaufman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Child maltreatment is associated with an increased risk of psychiatric disorders, and a range of health problems later in life. Research suggests that adverse events early in life can lead to changes in gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms that alter stress reactivity, brain function, and behaviour. Although epigenetic changes are often long lasting, they can be reversed with pharmacological and environmental manipulations. The complexity of the epigenome is not fully understood. The aim of this Review is to assess emerging data for the role of epigenetic mechanisms in stress-related psychiatric disorders with a focus on future research. We describe the epigenetic processes, key findings in this specialty, clinical implications of research, and methodological issues. Studies are needed to investigate new epigenetic processes other than methylation and assess the efficacy of interventions to reverse epigenetic processes associated with the effects of early life adversity.

Citing Articles

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PMID: 39964605 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-025-00731-9.

Genomic insights into genes expressed specifically during infancy highlight their dominant influence on the neuronal system.

Wang W, Liu Z, Peng D, Lin G, Wang Z BMC Genomics. 2024; 25(1):1012.

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Proposed Physiological Mechanisms Underlying the Association between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Mental Health Conditions: A Narrative Review.

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PV and SST neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex regulate social disorders in adulthood induced by sensory abnormalities in childhood.

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Omics Approaches to Investigate the Pathogenesis of Suicide.

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