Early life adversity and the epigenetic programming of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function

Date

2014

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Dialogues in clinical neuroscience

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. (Author Abstract)

Description

Keywords

child abuse, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), trauma, parenting, literature review

Citation

Anacker, C., O'Donnell, K. J., & Meaney, M. J. (2014). Early life adversity and the epigenetic programming of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 16(3), 321-333.

DOI