DNA Methylation in Depression and Depressive-Like Phenotype: Biomarker or Target of Pharmacological Intervention?

ABSTRACT: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating psychiatric disorder, the third leading global cause of disability. Regarding aetiopathogenetic mechanisms involved in the onset of depressive disorders, the interaction between genetic vulnerability traits and environmental factors is believed to play a major role. Although much is still to be elucidated about the mechanisms through which the environment can interact with genetic background shaping the disease risk, there is a general agreement about a key role of epigenetic marking. In this narrative review, we focused on the association between changes in DNA methylation patterns and MDD or depressive-like phenotype in animal models, as well as mechanisms of response to antidepressant drugs. We discussed studies presenting DNA methylatio

SUBMITTER: Paoli C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9890294 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature