A first link between chronic stress, genetics, and mental illness has recently observed in mice. Researchers have discovered that the genes of mice exposed to chronic stress change over time. Modifications were most associated with genes related to a variety of mental illnesses, such as depression, autism spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia.1-3
How exactly are genetics, stress, and mental illness related? DNA, serves as instructions for cells and is broken up into functional units called genes. The interplay between DNA and the environment is what makes each person unique. Environmental factors can cause DNA to be temporarily modified, without changing the sequence, to alter how it is read. Epigenetics, meaning “attached to the DNA”, is the study of such modifications.
Although the authors could not explain how this modification occurs, Nicholas Warren, a Ph.D. candidate at Dartmouth College, added that modification “appears to be a highly regulated process which scientists could manipulate by developing drugs to target it. This could lead to new therapies for neurological disorders, but will likely take several decades to do so.”
Similar DNA modifications have been seen in the brains of clinically depressed people who committed suicide.4 More research is needed on this connection, but it’s the first step to better understanding these disorders.
Acknowledgements: Thank you to Nicholas Warren, Ph.D. candidate in the Program in Experimental and Molecular Medicine at Dartmouth College, for his commentary on the implications of this epigenetic modification.
Managing Correspondent: Chelsea Weidman
References:
- DNA N6-methyladenine is dynamically regulated in the mouse brain following environmental stress. Nature Communications.
- Mysterious DNA modification seen in stress response. Emory Health Sciences Center.
- A Strange New DNA Edit Has Been Discovered in Animals Under Stress. Science Alert.
- Increased DNA methylation in the suicide brain. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Considering it wasn’t long ago that we didn’t know about DNA and RNA and now we can have conversations about modifying it (perhaps even modifications via additions or reductions to the code, implants, or reactive manipulations to the existing) that it’s pretty amazing. I think we’re doing fantastic won’t expect miracles on our journey to learning. I just hope as always that we remember that it’s humanity we are looking to improve and that we should do it humanely.
Sign me up 4 the love of humanity
I love science and I want to go
Why cant you add on to your DNA if they look at genetic code not so much changing your own dna or tering it apart that might cause sickness
Like example: you have paper with an art piece and you choose to tape another replica with the other paper
What side effects may this hold and why cant we research it.
I would agree i had a massive stroke aftersyears ofday in day out of traumatic stress. I appriciate yoyr theory and i see it has validity. We know that stress can weaken our immune systems. We know maintaining propee gut bacteria is vital. Stress causes people to make poor choices. Maybe stress can cause our dna/bodies to make poor choices?? I am no scoentist. Science is only a hobby for me folks. Thank you for the ready roger! I enjoy what you have to say re:biology
Everyone should listen to Roger Spurr at Mudfossil University regarding probiotics and gut bacteria for his thoughts on total health.
Sign me up 4 the love of humanity
This is an interesting study if incase it really is.
This was a very helpful article very knowledgeable.
An approach to better health with the vitamin mentioned is savvy. It would be interesting to measure the severity of the disability in reference to natural therapy. I think natural therapy and drugs conjointly may improve health in people affected by severe mental illness.
Why are drugs always the answer? Why not assess the vitamin/mineral levels of the stressed person? For example: “Clinical studies show vitamin B6/P5P to be most effective in cases of behavioural problems, depression and schizophrenics with normal histamine blood levels. Pfeiffer in various publications provided research data to show that one group of schizophrenics is characterised by an abnormal loss of vitamin B6 and zinc in the urine and that such patients could be quickly restored to normal with high dosage vitamin B6 and zinc supplements” (Walter Last, “Mental Illness”).
Genetics/epigenetics Also play a role in what Vitamins/amino acids/proteins and how they are metabolized and Used to achieve their function. It is not as simple as taking Supplements like this in these cases. It may not Always help. Compare it to giving An instruction worker all The material but you forget to Give him The manual/instructions. You basically end Up with Nothing actually Improving in some cases. Note, this is Only severe cases, Ofcourse Vitamin defiency is Said to cause certain Symtoms of illness and can be Corrected this Way.
Ill give it my all
So wait is this technically saying certain environments can help someone who wants to help humanity thorough science?
So you can basically go under certain conditions and get your DNA analysed every day and others can actually monitor the changes in your DNA and by doing this we could cure diseases that we weren’t able to cure so far?
Just A Question And A Theory.
The men in this study are in the penitentiary. The stress there is phenomenal. The state is releasing these people straight out of solitary confinement by where the brain tears itself from the soul of the human subject . Pathetic. But that’s the rat’s in this new experinentation in the name of science. The money its costing taxpayers to learn about this modification. They should include the mothers and families as test subject material as well. They also require state assistance. It’s what it is when it comes to curing cancer and autism . A part of the bigger picture. God bless the people.
Im want to go and get my DNA testing
Reading this was very strange. It talked about how it was tested on mice jumped right over to autism. What? I think whoever wrote this should use a timeline of how things go and use words around the “point” to attach them together. Thank you!