Ancient evolutionary origins of epigenetic regulation associated with posttraumatic stress disorder.

ABSTRACT: Epigenetic marks, including DNA methylation, are modifiable molecular factors that may underlie mental disorders, especially responses to trauma, including the development of and resilience to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous work has identified differential DNA methylation at CpG dinucleotide sites genomewide between trauma exposed individuals with and without PTSD, suggesting a role for epigenetic potential-the capacity to epigenetically regulate behavior and physiology in response to lived experiences. The human species is characterized by an increased period of adaptive plasticity during brain development. The evolutionary history of epigenetic potential in relation to adaptive plasticity is currently unknown. Using phylogenetic methods and functional annotation analyses,

SUBMITTER: Sipahi L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4026723 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature