Epigenetics of childhood trauma: Long term sequelae and potential for treatment

• Published in: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews Vol. 132; pp. 1049 - 1066
• Main Authors: Thumfart, Kristina M., Jawaid, Ali, Bright, Kristina, Flachsmann, Marc, Mansuy, Isabelle M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2022
• Subjects: Adult; Adverse Childhood Experiences; animal models; Animals; Childhood trauma; DNA Methylation - genetics; early life adversity; Epigenesis, Genetic - genetics; epigenetics; Epigenomics; Humans; non-coding RNAs; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; therapies; CTQ; animal models; CTS; PND; TSST; I-DBT; PVN; MDD; NR3C1; PFC; epigenetics; SLC6A4; NAc; BSD; SPR; H3K9ac; Hdac1; PBI; MD; SPS; OXT(R); SHIP; A2ar; i.h; McArthur CVI; therapies; SDS; TSA; 5-HTTLPR; H3K4me3; MS; i.n; CAI; DNAme; SCZ-AR; WBCs; CU(M)S; DNHS; blA; BPD; CRH; HPA; AVP; FKBP5; HDAC; SES; LINE-1; MeCP2; DNMT1; ETISR-SF; BAGE; CECA-Q; MAOA; BN; ABN; Childhood trauma; SA; CFS; NGFI-A; Pp1c; CTQ-SF; 5(h)mC; Hyp; EGR1; ACE; BDNF; GAD1; 5-HT(1AR); GR; SPAQ; GRIN2B; Hip; FHR-P; FEP; PTSD; CT; PA; KITLG; Pcdh; REST; early life adversity; Dex; non-coding RNAs; DRD; i.c.v; CTI; LES; LG; CPI; DA; humans
• ISSN: 0149-7634; 1873-7528
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.10.042

•Childhood trauma (CT) is a major risk factor for neuropsychiatric disorders•Long-term epigenetic changes occur in the brain of adults with a history of CT•Affected pathways include the HPA axis, BDNF, oxytocin and neurotransmitter signaling•Pharmacological and psychological interventions may counteract CT-induced changes. Childhood trauma (CT) can have persistent effects on the brain and is one of the major risk factors for neuropsychiatric diseases in adulthood. Recent advances in the field of epigenetics suggest that epigenetic factors such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, as well as regulatory processes involving non-coding RNA are associated with the long-term sequelae of CT. This narrative review summarizes current knowledge on the epigenetic basis of CT and describes studies in animal models and human subjects examining how the epigenome and transcriptome are modified by CT in the brain. It discusses psychological and pharmacological interventions that can counteract epigenetic changes induced by CT and the need to establish longitudinal assessment after CT for developing more effective diagnostics and treatment strategies based on epigenetic targets.