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Transgenerational Epigenetics of Traumatic Stress
Ali Jawaid1, Martin Roszkowski1, Isabelle M Mansuy1
1Laboratory of Neuroepigenetics, Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich and Department of Health Science and Technology of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Neuroscience Center Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science
|August 4, 2018
Summary
Traumatic stress can alter mammals
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Traumatic stress impacts mammalian behavior, cognition, and physiology.
- These stress-induced effects can be inherited across generations without direct exposure.
- Epigenetic mechanisms are implicated in this non-genomic inheritance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review inter- and transgenerational inheritance of traumatic stress effects in mammals.
- To explore associated epigenetic changes in the germline.
- To discuss potential mechanisms, preventative interventions, and evolutionary significance.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of animal and human studies.
- Analysis of epigenetic modifications in the germline.
- Examination of developmental and adult maintenance mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Evidence supports the inter- and transgenerational transmission of traumatic stress effects.
- Specific epigenetic alterations in the germline are linked to stress inheritance.
- Various mechanisms for induction and maintenance are proposed.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic inheritance provides a mechanism for transmitting traumatic stress effects across generations.
- Understanding these pathways is crucial for evolutionary biology and potential therapeutic interventions.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the scope and implications of this phenomenon.
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