Extinguishing Fear Memories Relies On An Unusual Change to DNA
Researchers report fear extinction memories form as a result of an adenosine modification, which help to increase the activity of specific genes. ... Read More...
epigenetics
Blood Cells Could Hold Master Clock Behind Aging
A new study reveals blood cell DNA remains steady, even after transplant. The findings shed new light on human aging.... Read More...
Heavy Drinking in Teens Causes Lasting Changes in Emotional Center of Brain
A new study reports teenage binge drinking can result in lasting epigenetic changes that alter the expression of BDNF-AS, a protein vital for the formation of neural connection in the amygdala.... Read More...
Parental PTSD Affects Health Behavior and Aging Among Offspring of Holocaust Survivors
A new study reports Holocaust survivors who suffer from PTSD and their adult children age less successfully and display more unhealthy behaviors than those with no PTSD or who did not experience the horrors of the Holocaust.... Read More...
Mice Pass On Brain Benefits of Enriched Upbringing to Offspring
Researchers report life experiences may be transgenerationally inherited through a combination of epigenetics and parental behavior. ... Read More...
Epigenetics Contributes to Male and Female Differences in Fear Memories
A new mouse study reveals males recall fearful memories better than females. Researchers attribute the difference to the gene Cdk5, which has previously been implicated in creating fear memories and stress behaviors. The study reports Cdk5 is naturally activated in males, but not females.... Read More...
Differences Among Neurons that Coincide with Psychiatric Conditions
A new study reveals differences in genes in four areas of the brain that contribute to psychiatric disorders.... Read More...
Childhood Stress Affects Behavior of Offspring: Mouse Study
Researchers report on the epigenetic effect of early life stress. In a new study, researchers reveal mice who experienced stress in the first few weeks of life showed deterioration in memory, learning and maternal behaviors. Behavioral changes were seen in their later offspring, regardless of sex. ... Read More...
Choline Helps Fight Alzheimer’s Across Generations
Researchers report when mice bred to display Alzheimer's like symptoms were given diets high in choline, their offspring showed improvements in spatial memory compared to those exposed to normal levels of choline in the womb. ... Read More...
Cannabis Exposure Alters Genetic Profile of Sperm
THC exposure targets genes in two major cellular pathways and alters DNA methylation, a new study reports. Researchers say that wile cannabis triggers structural and regulatory changes in the DNA of users' sperm, they do not know yet whether the changes are passed down to the offspring and what effects that could have. ... Read More...
Genetic Changes Associated with Physical Activity
Researchers have identified 14 genetic regions linked to activity.... Read More...
Children Who Experience Violence Early in Life Develop Faster
A new study reports children who are subjected violence early in life experience faster biological aging, including earlier onset of puberty and epigenetic aging, than peers who are not abused. Additionally, children exposed to other early life adversities, such as poverty and food insecurity, show delayed signs of pubertal development. ... Read More...