An epigenetic, transgenerational model of increased mental health disorders in children, adolescents and young adults

Abstract

Prevalence rates of mental health disorders in children and adolescents have increased two to threefold from the 1990s to 2016. Some increase in prevalence may stem from changing environmental conditions in the current generation which interact with genes and inherited genetic variants. Current measured genetic variant effects do not explain fully the familial clustering and high heritability estimates in the population. Another model considers environmental conditions shifting in the previous generation, which altered brain circuits epigenetically and were transmitted to offspring via non-DNA-based mechanisms (intergenerational and transgenerational effects). Parental substance use, poor diet and obesity are environmental factors with known epigenetic intergenerational and transgenerational effects, that regulate set points in brain pathways integrating sensory-motor, reward and feeding behaviors. Using summary statistics for eleven neuropsychiatric and three metabolic disorders from 128,989 families, an epigenetic effect explains more of the estimated heritability when a portion of parental environmental effects are transmitted to offspring alongside additive genetic variance.

Leveraging the bi-directional links between health and education to promote long-term resilience and equality

“…they do not involve DNA mutations) via modifications to DNA, histone proteins which DNA wraps around and/or the larger chromatin structure within the nucleus. 12 At an intergenerational level, researchers have found children of Holocaust survivors, who have an increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder and mood disorders, experience epigenetic changes within the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. 1,12 At a transgenerational level, undernutrition caused by famine in the Netherlands in World War II is thought to have led to epigenetic changes that contributed to increases in overweight and other health issues in the second generation as well as the grandchildren of those affected by the famine.…”

“…1,12 At a transgenerational level, undernutrition caused by famine in the Netherlands in World War II is thought to have led to epigenetic changes that contributed to increases in overweight and other health issues in the second generation as well as the grandchildren of those affected by the famine. 12…”

The selfish environment meets the selfish gene: Coevolution and inheritance of RNA and DNA pools

“…Broad sense heritability is revised to ( G + tE p )/( G + E ) where tE p is defined as the portion t (= x + y ) of shared ( x ) and unique ( y ) parental environmental variance ( E p ) being transmitted through altered ncRNA levels and allelic variants. [ 4 ]…”

Features of Psychomotor Coordination in Adolescents with Neuropsychiatric Pathology Enrolled in a Standard Educational Program

“…A recently developed epigenetic, transgenerational model predicts a further increase in the number of mental illnesses due to epigenetic influences (nutrition, microbiota, overweight, etc.). This makes it possible to carry out preventive measures in order to reduce the likelihood of psychopathology [ 4 ]. The World Health Organization has noted the need to create living conditions and environments for individuals with mental problems to increase their chances of improving mental health [ 5 ].…”