Lasting epigenetic influence of early-life adversity on the BDNF gene.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Childhood maltreatment and early trauma leave lasting imprints on neural mechanisms of cognition and emotion. With a rat model of infant maltreatment by a caregiver, we investigated whether early-life adversity leaves lasting epigenetic marks at the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene in the central nervous system.

Methods

During the first postnatal week, we exposed infant rats to stressed caretakers that predominately displayed abusive behaviors. We then assessed DNA methylation patterns and gene expression throughout the life span as well as DNA methylation patterns in the next generation of infants.

Results

Early maltreatment produced persisting changes in methylation of BDNF DNA that caused altered BDNF gene expression in the adult prefrontal

SUBMITTER: Roth TL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3056389 | biostudies-literature | 2009 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature