Childhood stress is “remembered” by genes and affects adult life.

The Journal of Scientific Reports reported on the topic "Differentially Methylated Genes in Saliva are linked to Childhood Stress". “Early mental stress is closely related to the development of the disease. We want to know how one person becomes another person,” said Ligia Papale, lead author and neurosurgery researcher. “In this study, we were surprised to observe the pressure of children. The genetic difference between the group and the normal child group."

Methylation of DNA causes changes in DNA stability and DNA-protein interactions, thereby  controlling gene expression. In the process of methylation, environmental  changes stimulate  a  specific  molecule called a methyl group to attach to sensitive sites on the gene.

“What you eat, what you have experienced, and how much you exercise, all of which can change your DNA methylation level.” Corresponding author, Reid Alisch, professor of neurosurgery at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said, “DNA methylation is not Will change your DNA, but the  presence  or  absence of DNA methylation will change the way you use your DNA and whether it expresses or expresses how many genes."

To understand which genes are actually manipulating (human) biological processes, the researchers collected and analyzed saliva samples from 22 girls aged 9 to 12 years. They found that among the 122 genes, DNA methylation in high-stress children is different from that in low-stress children.

The team then studied how the genes were expressed and found that more than 1,400 genes showed differences in expression related to the stress experienced by girls, including 12 different methylated genes. These combinations of different methylation and gene expression are highlighting some of the genes known to play a role in mood and mental illness.

It is worth noting that Alisch said that as girls age, differences in methylation and gene expression persist. “We found that after about 10 years, there are still some markers in our genome that tell us that there is trauma here. This trauma may make this person more vulnerable to secondary trauma or even worse behavior changes in later life. Impact," Alisch said.

“Of course, this finding may find a mechanism by which child stress leads to social or behavioral problems. We also mark a number of unclear genes that play a role in stress-related mental illnesses  or in  the stress  response itself. The mechanism of action deserves more research."

“In the future, we hope to use molecular methods to improve and improve the accuracy of individualized treatment at the individual level, using some of the genes defined in this study,” Alisch expects.