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Understanding the epigenetic basis of sex differences in depression
Author(s) -
Hodes Georgia E.,
Walker Deena M.,
Labonté Benoit,
Nestler Eric J.,
Russo Scott J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.23876
Subject(s) - epigenetics , offspring , mood disorders , depression (economics) , mood , epigenesis , psychology , etiology , biology , neuroscience , genetics , dna methylation , clinical psychology , gene , psychiatry , gene expression , pregnancy , anxiety , macroeconomics , economics
Epigenetics refers to potentially heritable processes that can mediate both lasting and transient changes in gene expression in the absence of genome sequence alterations. The field of epigenetics has introduced a novel understanding of the mechanisms through which the environment can shape an individual and potentially its offspring. This Mini‐Review examines the current literature exploring the role of epigenetics in the development of mood disorders such as depression. Depression is twofold more common in females, yet the majority of preclinical research has been conducted exclusively in male subjects. Here we discuss what is known about sex differences in epigenetic regulation and function and how this may contribute to the etiology and onset of mood disorders. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.