Epigenetic Mechanisms in Mood Disorders
Summary
Epigenetic mechanisms refer to heritable changes in gene activity that occur without alteration of the DNA sequence, and they play a central role in the regulation of neuronal function and plasticity. In mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder, environmental factors including stress, early-life adversity and pharmacological interventions can induce modifications to the epigenome that alter transcriptional programmes in key brain regions. DNA methylation at cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites, post-translational histone modifications and non-coding RNA regulation collectively influence chromatin accessibility and the expression of genes involved in synaptic transmission, neuroinflammation and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. Aberrant patterns of epigenetic marks have been associated with diminished neuroplasticity, impaired stress resilience and dysregulated monoaminergic signalling. Emerging evidence suggests that some of these marks can be detected in peripheral tissues, offering potential biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment response. Moreover, epigenetic enzymes and chromatin-modifying proteins are under investigation as therapeutic targets, with the aim of reprogramming maladaptive gene-environment interactions. Understanding the dynamics and reversibility of these mechanisms promises to deepen insight into the molecular basis of mood disorders and to inform personalised intervention strategies.
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Epigenetic Mechanisms in Mood Disorders publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in epigenetic mechanisms in mood disorders across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
DNA methylation: The addition of a methyl group to cytosine residues in DNA, often at CpG sites, influencing gene transcription.
Histone acetylation: The attachment of acetyl groups to histone proteins, reducing chromatin compaction and promoting gene expression.
Non-coding RNA: RNA molecules that do not encode proteins but regulate gene expression at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels.
CpG island: A genomic region rich in cytosine-phosphate-guanine dinucleotides often located near gene promoters and subject to methylation.
Neuroplasticity: The ability of neural circuits to remodel structurally and functionally in response to experience or injury.
References
- Integrative omics analysis reveals epigenomic and transcriptomic signatures underlying brain structural deficits in major depressive disorder. Translational Psychiatry (2024).
- Biomarkers of Depression among Adolescent Girls: BDNF and Epigenetics. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
- Can Epigenetics Predict Drug Efficiency in Mental Disorders?. Cells (2023).
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