Journal
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
Volume 74, Issue 1, Pages 67-74Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.09.036
Keywords
Epigenetics; Social environment; Psychiatric disorders; Methylation
Funding
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science [ITP2007201210]
- NIH [DA 022720, DA 022720-S1, MH088283, MH 082729]
- [MH093612]
- [MH078928]
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH [R01MH082729, RC1MH088283, R01MH078928, R01MH093612] Funding Source: NIH RePORTER
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE [R01DA022720] Funding Source: NIH RePORTER
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The social environment plays a considerable role in determining major psychiatric disorders. Emerging evidence suggests that features of the social environment modify gene expression independently of the primary DNA sequence through epigenetic processes. Accordingly, dysfunction of epigenetic mechanisms offers a plausible mechanism by which an adverse social environment gets into the mind and results in poor mental health. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the studies suggesting that epigenetic changes introduced by the social environment then manifest as psychological consequences. Our goal is to build a platform to discuss the ways in which,future epidemiologic studies may benefit from including epigenetic measures. We focus on schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, anorexia nervosa, and substance dependence as examples that highlight the ways in which social environmental exposures, mediated through epigenetic processes, affect mental health. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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