Cited by 121Epigenetics and DNA MethylationBirth, Development, and HealthGenetic Syndromes and Imprinting

Transgenerational epigenetic influences of paternal environmental exposures on brain function and predisposition to psychiatric disorders

Yeshurun, Shlomo, Hannan, Anthony J.·2019·Molecular Psychiatry

Abstract

In recent years, striking new evidence has demonstrated non-genetic inheritance of acquired traits associated with parental environmental exposures. In particular, this transgenerational modulation of phenotypic traits is of direct relevance to psychiatric disorders, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other anxiety disorders. Here we review the recent progress in this field, with an emphasis on acquired traits of psychiatric illnesses transmitted epigenetically via the male lineage. We discuss the transgenerational effects of paternal exposure to stress vs. positive stimuli, such as exercise, and discuss their impact on the behavioral, affective and cognitive characteristics of their progeny. Furthermore, we review the recent evidence suggesting that these transgenerational effects are mediated by epigenetic mechanisms, including changes in DNA methylation and small non-coding RNAs in the sperm. We discuss the urgent need for more research exploring transgenerational epigenetic effects in animal models and human populations. These future studies may identify epigenetic mechanisms as potential contributors to the 'missing heritability' observed in genome-wide association studies of psychiatric illnesses and other human disorders. This exciting new field of transgenerational epigenomics will facilitate the development of novel strategies to predict, prevent and treat negative epigenetic consequences on offspring health, and psychiatric disorders in particular.

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Crossref · 10.1038/s41380-018-0039-z

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Authors
Yeshurun, S., & Hannan, A. J.
Affiliations
The University of Melbourne (AU)
Corresponding author
Hannan, Anthony J.
Venue
Molecular Psychiatry
Published
2018-03-08
Volume
24
Issue
4
Pages
536-548
ISSN
  • 1359-4184 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-5578
OpenAlex
W2789306887
Cited by
121
References
125
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 16
FWCI
1.79
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Molecular Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Birth, Development, and Health
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic Syndromes and Imprinting
Keywords
transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, non-genetic inheritance, mental illness, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, physical activity, sperm DNA methylation, missing heritability, epigenomics
MeSH terms
Mental Disorders, Brain, Disease Susceptibility, Environmental Exposure, Fathers, Genotype, Humans, Male, Phenotype, Spermatozoa, Paternal Exposure, DNA Methylation, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Epigenesis, Genetic, Genome-Wide Association Study, Epigenomics

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