Cited by 413Epigenetics and DNA MethylationTreatment of Major DepressionStress Responses and Cortisol

Epigenetics of the depressed brain: role of histone acetylation and methylation

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Sun, HaoSheng, Kennedy, Pamela J, Nestler, Eric J·2013·Neuropsychopharmacology

Abstract

Major depressive disorder is a chronic, remitting syndrome involving widely distributed circuits in the brain. Stable alterations in gene expression that contribute to structural and functional changes in multiple brain regions are implicated in the heterogeneity and pathogenesis of the illness. Epigenetic events that alter chromatin structure to regulate programs of gene expression have been associated with depression-related behavior, antidepressant action, and resistance to depression or 'resilience' in animal models, with increasing evidence for similar mechanisms occurring in postmortem brains of depressed humans. In this review, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of epigenetic contributions to depression, in particular the role of histone acetylation and methylation, which are revealing novel mechanistic insight into the syndrome that may aid in the development of novel targets for depression treatment.

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Crossref · 10.1038/npp.2012.73

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  • There are functional interactions between DNA methylation and metabolic/stress pathways.

    “indicating functional interactions between DNA methylation and metabolic/stress pathways (Bagot et al., 2014; Sun et al., 2013)”

    From Histone modifications and depression: epigenetic mechanisms, therapeutic targets, and translational outlook (2026) · cites this paper as Sun et al., 2013

    The Epigenetic Mechanisms section (page unavailable) mentions DNA methylation but says the paper focuses on histone modifications. The passages on stress describe changes in histone methylation, not functional interactions between DNA methylation and metabolic or stress pathways. Searches for DNA methylation with those pathways found no passage establishing the claimed interaction. (LLM, conf=0.76)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • The current working hypothesis is that variably penetrant, highly complex genetic differences and environmental factors work together to determine resilience and susceptibility to major depressive disorder.

    “The current working hypothesis is that variably penetrant, highly complex genetic differences and environmental factors work together to determine resilience and susceptibility to MDD”
  • The pathophysiology of major depressive disorder and the response to antidepressants are suggested to be controlled by epigenetic modulation of transcription.

    “The pathophysiology of MDD and response to antidepressants are suggested to be controlled by epigenetic modulation of transcription.”
  • Disruptions in transcription occur in various brain areas in preclinical models of depression and in patients with major depressive disorder.

    “Indeed, disruptions in transcription occur in various brain areas in preclinical models of depression and in MDD patients.”

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Waddington CH (1940). Organisers & Genes. The University Press: Cambridge Eng.This was one of the first publications describing the concept of 'epigenetics' or how phenotypes are not entirely determined by what is coded in the DNA.

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Authors
Sun, H., Kennedy, P. J., & Nestler, E. J.
Corresponding author
Nestler, Eric J
Venue
Neuropsychopharmacology
Published
2012-06-13
Volume
38
Issue
1
Pages
124-137
ISSN
  • 0893-133X (ISSN-L)
  • 1740-634X
OpenAlex
W2024357198
Cited by
413
References
143
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 36 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 46 · 2018: 28 · 2017: 34 · 2016: 43 · 2015: 40 · 2014: 28 · 2013: 26 · 2012: 8
FWCI
2.98
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neuropsychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (P50MH096890)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords
major depressive disorder, epigenetics, histone acetylation, histone methylation, chromatin structure, gene expression regulation, antidepressant action, antidepressant resistance, depression resilience, postmortem brain, depression pathogenesis
MeSH terms
Acetylation, Animals, Brain, Brain Chemistry, Major Depressive Disorder, Histones, Humans, Methylation, Nerve Net, Epigenesis, Genetic

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