Epigenetic Consequences of Adversity and Intervention Throughout the Lifespan: Implications for Public Policy and Healthcare

Abstract

Behavioral epigenetics posits that both nature and nurture must be considered when determining the etiology of behavior or disease. The epigenome displays a remarkable ability to respond to environmental input in early sensitive periods but also throughout the lifespan. These responses are dependent on environmental context and lead to behavioral outcomes. While early adversity has been shown to perpetuate issues of mental health, there are numerous intervention strategies shown efficacious to ameliorate these effects. This includes diet, exercise, childhood intervention programs, pharmacological therapeutics, and talk therapies. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of the ability of the epigenome to adapt in different contexts is essential to advance our understanding of mechanisms of adversity and pathways to resilience. The present review draws on evidence from both humans and animal models to explore the responsivity of the epigenome to adversity and its malleability to intervention. Behavioral epigenetics research is also discussed in the context of public health practice and policy, as it provides a meaningful source of evidence concerning child development and disease intervention and prevention.

Epigenetic processes associated with neonatal spinal transection

“…Indeed, given that epigenomics is a promising avenue for understanding molecular signatures of both the developing and injured spinal cord (Chang et al., 2020; York et al., 2013), and the proposed role of neurotrophic factors in aiding SCI (Chang et al., 2021; Crowley et al., 2019; Han et al., 2014; ; Muheremu et al., 2021), further examining the role of Bdnf expression and methylation in the developing and injured spinal cord is a critical research focus. Numerous studies suggest that both the spinal cord (Guérout et al., 2021; Power & Schlaggar, 2016) and epigenetic mechanisms remain responsive to environmental input throughout the lifespan (Collins et al., 2020), including intervention strategies.…”

Developmental administration of valproic acid alters DNA methylation and maternal behavior

“…While the epigenome displays the remarkable ability to respond to environmental input throughout the lifespan (reviewed in Collins et al., 2020), evidence suggests the presence of sensitive periods where the epigenome is perhaps most attuned to these inputs (Curley & Champagne, 2016; Faulk & Dolinoy, 2011), including early infancy (Dunn et al., 2019). This period is critical for proper brain growth and development (Gilmore et al., 2018), with neural network connectivity already beginning to take shape (Haartsen et al., 2016).…”