Epigenetic epidemiology in psychiatry: A translational neuroscience perspective

Abstract

Accumulating evidence from the field of neuroscience indicates a crucial role for epigenetic regulation of gene expression in development and aging of nervous system and suggests that aberrations in the epigenetic machinery are involved in the etiology of psychiatric disorders. Epidemiologic evidence on epigenetics in psychiatry, however, is currently very sparsely available, but is consistent with a mediating role for epigenetic mechanisms in bringing together inherited and acquired risk factors into a neurodevelopmental etiological model of psychiatric disorders. Here, we review evidence from the epidemiological and neuroscience literature, and aim to converge the evidence into an etiological model of psychiatric disorders that encompasses environmental, genetic and epigenetic contributions. Given the dynamic nature of the epigenetic machinery and the potential reversibility of epigenetic modifications, future well-designed interdisciplinary and translational studies will be of key importance in order to identify new targets for prevention and therapeutic strategies. This article is adapted from the book Chapter "Epigenetic Epidemiology", by Bart PF Rutten & Jim van Os in the book "Epigenetic Epidemiology", published by Springer Science + Business Media B.V., Editor Karin B. Michels, 2012, page 343-376. ISBN 978-94-007-2494-5, e-ISBN 978-94-007-2495-2, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-2495.2 With kind permission from Springer Science+Business Media B.V. © Versita Sp. z o.o.