User talk:JohannThomas2/Epigenetics of Childhood Trauma

Environmental stressors during childhood have been shown to lead to a number of mental health conditions. On a molecular or genetic level, epigenetic changes are thought to be a key mechanism as to how these mental health conditions develop.

Key Things to Report from Review Article

- Environmental Stressors in most of the studies were childhood abuse, childhood mistreatment, and early parental loss - 1030 articles identified, 40 articles included for full in text review, 17 articles selected for qualitative analysis. - Following genes commonly associated with Depression and Stress: · NR3C1: human glucocorticoid receptor gene. - Methylation of this gene correlated with both stress and depression - This gene gets epigenetically modified in people with a history of childhood mistreatment · SLC6A4: human serotonin transporter gene - Associated with stress and depression when methylated · BDNF: brain de-rived neurotrophic factor · FKBP5: FK506 binding protein 5 - Epigenetically modified in people with depression · SKA2: spindle and kinetochore associated complex 2 - Potential for being a biomarker that researchers can use to aid in determining if someone has suicidal behaviors or history of trauma