Putting the ‘epi’ into epigenetics research in psychiatry
Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: During the past two decades, research concerned with the aetiology of psychopathology has generally progressed along two separate paths: investigations that have characterised the roles played by environmental determinants such as childhood adversity in the development of psychopathology, and those that have focused on neurobiological processes involving genetic and intracellular pathways. Epigenetic modifications, functionally relevant changes to gene expression that do not reflect changes in gene sequence, may explain how environmental exposures 'get under the skin' to modify the expression of genes and produce phenotypic variability. The potential of epigenetic research to unify two disparate strands of inquiry has contributed to substantial, and growing, interest in epigenetics in mental health research. However, there are several challenges with which investigators must contend in studies considering the role of epigenetic modifications in psychopathology. These include the development of causal models in study design, considerations about sample size and generalisability, and robust measurement of epigenetic modification. We employ an epidemiological lens to discuss these challenges and to provide recommendations for future studies in this area.
Institution: Columbia University
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: G1863311831, G2290646999, G3022719772, Genetic Determinants of PTSD in Women, Ecologic Stressors, PTSD, and Drug Use in Detroit, Candidate Epigenetic Biomarkers For PTSD: Insights From Detroit, G473472693, G4837534145, G5198174363, Child adversity and the developmental epidemiology of mood and anxiety disorders., The Cross-National Epidemiology of Trauma Exposure and PTSD, Support of Yerkes National Primate Research Center, G981002494
OpenAlex ID: W2122307264