Epigenetic modifications in mental disordersZhang / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Mental disorders are caused by the synergy of genetic and environmental factors,and epigenetics provides a bridge for mental disorders between environmental exposure and genetic background.This review discussed the role of epigenetics on the development of mental disorders,especially in schizophrenia and depression.DNA methylation,histone acetylation,histone methylation,ncRNA,depressive disorder and schizophrenia were used as searching terms.('Schizophrenia OR depressive disorder') and all field of DNA methylation/histone acetylation/histone methylation/ncRNA were taken as index strategy.67 related articles in database of PubMed,ScienceDirect in March 2017 were acquired.41 articles were enrolled as reviewing materials according to literature screening.Existing researches suggest that epigenetic modifications,including DNA methylation,histone acetylation,histone methylation,and ncRNAs,may be associated with the occurrence of mental illnesses and play key roles in the pathogenesis of mental illnesses,especially in schizophrenia and depression.Further studies on them could provide us novel insights into the pathogenesis of these disorders and effective treatments based upon epigenetic mechanisms.