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Childhood adversity and epigenetic regulation of glucocorticoid signaling genes: Associations in children and adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2016

Audrey R. Tyrka ,
Kathryn K. Ridout  and
Stephanie H. Parade
Audrey R. Tyrka*
Affiliation:
Butler Hospital Brown University Alpert Medical School
Kathryn K. Ridout
Affiliation:
Butler Hospital Brown University Alpert Medical School
Stephanie H. Parade
Affiliation:
Brown University Alpert Medical School E. P. Bradley Hospital
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Audrey R. Tyrka, Butler Hospital, 345 Blackstone Boulevard, Providence, RI 02906; E-mail: audrey_tyrka@brown.edu.
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Abstract

Early childhood experiences have lasting effects on development, including the risk for psychiatric disorders. Research examining the biologic underpinnings of these associations has revealed the impact of childhood maltreatment on the physiologic stress response and activity of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis. A growing body of literature supports the hypothesis that environmental exposures mediate their biological effects via epigenetic mechanisms. Methylation, which is thought to be the most stable form of epigenetic change, is a likely mechanism by which early life exposures have lasting effects. We present recent evidence related to epigenetic regulation of genes involved in hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis regulation, namely, the glucocorticoid receptor gene (nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group C, member 1 [NR3C1]) and FK506 binding protein 51 gene (FKBP5), after childhood adversity and associations with risk for psychiatric disorders. Implications for the development of interventions and future research are discussed.

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Special Section Articles
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 28 , Special Issue 4pt2: Epigenetics: Development, Psychopathology, Resilience, and Preventive Intervention , November 2016 , pp. 1319 - 1331
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

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