Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Human Genetics01:28

Human Genetics

Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Depressive Disorders: Etiology01:27

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Bipolar Disorder01:30

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition marked by significant mood fluctuations, including episodes of mania and depression. Elevated energy levels, heightened mood or irritability, impulsive behavior, reduced sleep needs, rapid speech, racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, and distractibility characterize mania. Individuals with bipolar disorder often alternate between depressive and manic states, with periods of emotional stability lasting an average of six months to a year.
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Transcriptomic and epigenetic characterization of paraventricular thalamic nucleus neurons in Polg1 mutant mice.

Neuroscience research·2026
Same author

Elucidating the Neural Basis of Bipolar Disorder - Secondary Publication.

JMA journal·2026
Same author

Real-world effectiveness of mono- and combination therapies of mood stabilisers and antipsychotics in bipolar disorder: nationwide, within-individual study of 315 046 patients.

The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science·2026
Same author

Pathway-specific regulation of the paraventricular thalamic nucleus in depressive-like behavior.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Maternal High-Fat Diet and Neonatal LPS Exposure Prolong USV Sequences and Shift Call-Type Repertoires in Neonatal Rats.

Developmental psychobiology·2026
Same author

Comparative sequence analysis of the mouse pseudoautosomal region from three inbred strains reveals it to be the most rapidly evolving 'chromosome'.

Proceedings of the Japan Academy. Series B, Physical and biological sciences·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder
04:42

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder

Published on: May 2, 2025

Epigenetics in mood disorders.

Patrick O McGowan1, Tadafumi Kato

  • 1Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
|July 2, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone modification, are increasingly implicated in mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder. Further research is crucial to understand these molecular underpinnings and develop targeted treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Depression arises from stress interactions and individual vulnerability.
  • Early life stress and gene-environment interactions contribute to stress vulnerability.
  • Epigenetic regulation, particularly of the glucocorticoid receptor gene, is a proposed molecular basis for stress vulnerability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of epigenetic modifications in the development and treatment of mood disorders.
  • To review evidence linking epigenetic changes to depression and bipolar disorder.
  • To highlight the need for further epigenetic research in mood disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing clinical genetic studies and postmortem brain analyses.
  • Examination of molecular evidence for epigenetic regulation in mood disorders.

More Related Videos

Optimized Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression from Small, Anatomically-defined Areas of the Brain
13:11

Optimized Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression from Small, Anatomically-defined Areas of the Brain

Published on: July 12, 2012

A Rat Methyl-Seq Platform to Identify Epigenetic Changes Associated with Stress Exposure
09:06

A Rat Methyl-Seq Platform to Identify Epigenetic Changes Associated with Stress Exposure

Published on: October 24, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder
04:42

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder

Published on: May 2, 2025

Optimized Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression from Small, Anatomically-defined Areas of the Brain
13:11

Optimized Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression from Small, Anatomically-defined Areas of the Brain

Published on: July 12, 2012

A Rat Methyl-Seq Platform to Identify Epigenetic Changes Associated with Stress Exposure
09:06

A Rat Methyl-Seq Platform to Identify Epigenetic Changes Associated with Stress Exposure

Published on: October 24, 2018

  • Analysis of DNA methylation and histone modification patterns.

    • Main Results:

    • Antidepressant treatments may involve histone modifications of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene.
    • Valproate's antimanic effect and S-adenosyl methionine's antidepressive effect suggest DNA methylation's role.
    • Altered DNA methylation of catechol-O-methyltransferase and PPIEL (peptidylprolyl isomerase E-like) is observed in bipolar disorder patients and discordant twins.

    Conclusions:

    • Fragmentary evidence suggests a significant role for epigenetics in mood disorders.
    • Further investigation into epigenetic mechanisms in mood disorders is warranted.
    • Epigenetic insights may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for depression and bipolar disorder.