This Plenary Lecture by Katharine Domschke, Germany, was recorded on 24 September 2024 at the 37th ECNP Congress in Milan, Italy.
Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation or histone modifications are biochemical modifications at the DNA or its spatial structure. They regulate gene function, can be modified by environmental influences, and are temporally dynamic. There is burgeoning evidence that epigenetic mechanisms crucially shape risk and resilience towards mental disorders at the crossroads between genetic and environmental levels, playing a pivotal role in the vulnerability-stress model of mental disorders. Epigenetic patterns are also suggested to govern treatment response and constitute temporally dynamic biological correlates of treatment success.
This talk presents findings on the role of epigenetics in the pathogenesis and treatment of anxiety and affective disorders and provides a forum to discuss future developments and limitations in the field. Despite pitfalls such as various confounders, the difficulty in translating peripheral findings to central processes in humans, and open questions about the stability and transgenerational transmissibility of epigenetic marks, progress and perspectives in the field of epigenetics promise to bring us closer to clinical applications. These include resilience-increasing preventive measures in high-risk groups and more targeted, personalized, and potentially innovative treatment options for mental disorders.
Views and opinions expressed in these videos are those of the presenters and do not necessarily reflect the official position of ECNP. The content of these videos should not be used in any way as the basis for treatment decisions.
