Medicina Fluminensis, Vol. 53 No. 2, 2017.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.21860/medflum2017_179753
Epigenetics and major depression disorder
Hrvoje Lepeduš
orcid.org/0000-0001-9329-7007
; Odsjek za psihologiju, Filozofski fakultet, Sveučilište J. J. Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek
Kornelija Mikulaj
; Odsjek za psihologiju, Filozofski fakultet, Sveučilište J. J. Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek
Koraljka Gall Trošelj
orcid.org/0000-0001-7501-7614
; Zavod za molekularnu medicinu, Laboratorij za epigenomiku, Institut Ruđer Bošković, Zagreb
Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) represents one of the most common psychosomatic disorders with a pronounced increasing incidence. It is expected to become the number two major world health problem by 2020. The causes of MDD as well as its clinical features are very complex. The probable reason for such complexity relates to a large number of genes, being involved in a condition where each gene makes only a minor contribution to the MDD etiology and clinic phenotypes. An increasing number of studies published during last decade have pointed out the importance of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in affecting gene activity as well as constituting a possible link between biological and other factors related to MDD. Most of the studies have shown causality between different, MDD related biological and psycho-social factors. They have also described mutually controlled processes involved in the regulation of DNA methylation and establishment of histone code. There is a growing body of evidence on the significant role of non-coding RNA molecules in the ethiopathogenesis of MDD. Finally, it was shown that many antidepressive agents exert much influence on the epigenome. Such activity opens a new chapter in understanding the MDD pathogenesis and the basis for epigenome-reshaping related therapy.
Keywords
antidepressive agents; epigenetics; major depressive disorder; stress
Hrčak ID:
179753
URI
Publication date:
1.6.2017.
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