Child Abuse Leaves Its Mark on Victim’s DNA

[HysteryDiagnosis]

http://discovermagazine.com/2010/jan-feb/061

Mind & Brain / Mental Health
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Top 100 Stories of 2009 #61: Child Abuse Leaves Its Mark on Victim’s DNA

The brains of people who were abused as children and then commit suicide show DNA modifications that made them particularly sensitive to stress.
by Amy Barth

From the January-February special issue; published online December 28, 2009


Childhood trauma may leave a lasting imprint not just on the psyche but also in the DNA. This news comes from McGill University and the Suicide Brain Bank, a Quebec-based organization that carried out autopsies on suicide victims who had been abused as kids. Across the board, their brains showed DNA modifications that made them particularly sensitive to stress. Although gene variations are primarily inherited at conception, the findings show that environmental impacts can also introduce them later on. “The idea that abuse changes how genes function opens a new window for behavioral and drug therapy,” says study leader and neuroscientist Patrick McGowan.

During periods of adversity, the brain triggers release of cortisol, a hormone responsible for the fight-or-flight response. Due to differential gene expression associated with stress, the brains of child-abuse victims had lower levels of glucocorticoid receptors, McGowan found. Cortisol normally binds to these receptors; with fewer of them present, there is more cortisol and less resilience to feelings of stress.

In his study, McGowan reviewed medical records and police reports and interviewed family members to determine whether a subject was abused early in life. He then examined the subjects’ brain tissues and found that among those who had been abused, glucocorticoid-receptor expression was reduced by 40 percent. “If we can identify how these changes occur, we can identify those at high risk and ultimately find ways to treat them,” McGowan says.

[nightrain]

1. thanks for posting this. I think we'll be finding more supporting

evidence of the longer-term impact of trauma/abuse/war/PTSD, etc. We have an opportunity here to heal, if it's taken.

[Sal Minella]

2. Not to mention the emotional stunting and intellectual crippling that

occur in an accidental child who grows up without sufficient nurturing.

[nightrain]

3. yes. trauma's manifestations occur in overt and covert ways if we can just keep our eyes open

enough to see it.

[tinrobot]

4. I wonder if that also applies to bullying

Adults aren't the only people who abuse children. Children can also abuse children.

[nightrain]

5. probably, if it's repetetive, over a long enough duration, and "severe enough" of an

impact on the person. Adults bully other adults too. Domestic violence, bad neighbors, nasty people.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

6. You would not believe this guy in our workplace. You just

wouldn't.

[nightrain]

7. actually I might, unfortunately....

[HysteryDiagnosis]

8. Untreated adult ADHD, Bipolar, whatever the hell it is.... it will

drive a sane man to drink.