Cited by 1,273Child Abuse and TraumaEpigenetics and DNA MethylationStress Responses and Cortisol

Lasting epigenetic influence of early-life adversity on the BDNF gene

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Roth, Tania L., Lubin, Farah D., Funk, Adam J., Sweatt, J. David·2009·Biological Psychiatry

Abstract

Background Childhood maltreatment and early trauma leave lasting imprints on neural mechanisms of cognition and emotion. Using a rat model of infant maltreatment by a caregiver, we investigated whether early-life adversity leaves lasting epigenetic marks at the Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) gene in the CNS. Methods During the first postnatal week, we exposed infant rats to stressed caretakers that predominately displayed abusive behaviors. We then assessed DNA methylation patterns and gene expression throughout the life span, as well as DNA methylation patterns in the next generation of infants. Results Early maltreatment produced persisting changes in methylation of BDNF DNA that caused altered BDNF gene expression in the adult prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, we observed altered BDNF DNA methylation in offspring of females that had previously experienced the maltreatment regimen. Conclusions These results highlight an epigenetic molecular mechanism potentially underlying lifelong and transgenerational perpetuation of changes in gene expression and behavior incited by early abuse and neglect.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.11.028

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Authors
Roth, T. L., Lubin, F. D., Funk, A. J., & Sweatt, J. D.
Affiliations
  • University of Alabama (US)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham (US)
Venue
Biological Psychiatry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2009-05
Volume
65
Issue
9
Pages
760-769
ISSN
0006-3223 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1965636455
Cited by
1,273
References
75
Citations by year
2026: 26 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 37 · 2023: 38 · 2022: 39 · 2021: 68 · 2020: 78 · 2019: 77 · 2018: 90 · 2017: 91 · 2016: 107 · 2015: 100 · 2014: 145 · 2013: 105 · 2012: 91
FWCI
86.14
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Biological Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute on Aging (R01AG031722)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (MH 57014, R01MH057014)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NS048811, F32NS048811)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords
childhood adversity, child abuse, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, DNA methylation, epigenetics, transgenerational transmission, prefrontal cortex, gene expression, infant rat model, caregiver abuse, neglect
MeSH terms
Animals, Animals, Newborn, Cytidine, Female, Hippocampus, Injections, Intraventricular, Male, Maternal Behavior, Stress, Psychological, Gene Expression, Prefrontal Cortex, DNA Methylation, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Rats, Long-Evans, Models, Animal, Epigenesis, Genetic, Rats

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