Introduction
Childhood is the most beautiful stage of life. The experiences we obtain in our childhood are either good or unpleasant, which reflect in our thoughts, nature, and behaviour; we often reminisce and memorise them, but we cannot disregard certain incidents that profoundly shake our minds, bodies, and souls.
Childhood trauma comprises emotional, sexual, and physical mistreatment; ignorance; disquieting experiences; being a victim of domestic violence; substance abuse; sudden passing of a loved one, which affects a child’s coping competence; and possessing long-term impact.
Epigenetics of stress
A recent study finds that CT alters DNA packaging in the brain and makes a portal to activate stress-related genes more easily, leaving one more prone to stress and anxiety years afterwards (adulthood).
CT causes minute physical ‘scars’ in the brain, making one overreactive and expressive later in life to any kind of stress. Early hardship may make the brain quite sensitive and affect the ability to endure subsequent stress, leaving the overall physical and mental state susceptible to such future events.
How CT alters DNA packaging
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is located in the midbrain and consists of a small group of neurones that are responsible for dopamine synthesis as well as regulation of rewards and motivation. In stress, the reward system is disrupted owing to the malfunction of dopaminergic neurones, which exhibit abnormal behaviour, rendering them sensitive to upcoming stress and anxiety.
Scientists evaluate the epigenome of neurones; whether genes are ‘on or off’ eventually controls how cells behave. In heterochromatin form, it remains ‘switched off’ and prevents access to genes in DNA; when the structure loosens and opens, the gene activates the cell and ‘turns on’ the switch.
Wrapping of histone proteins is slack or open in a stress condition, allowing specific stress-response genes to be easily accessed.
Histones are proteins that facilitate structural support for the packaging (wrapped around) of DNA inside the nucleus, which controls how tightly or loosely it is packed.
The SETD7 enzyme: a portal to upcoming stress
Scientists stressed mice and found that the levels of an enzyme called SETD7 increased in dopamine neurones; this enzyme opens up DNA packaging and makes the brain highly sensitive to future stress by adding the H3K4me1 chemical marker to the DNA packaging system.
Targeting the minute scar
A team of scientists undid this process, increased the level of the chemical marker H3K4me1, and found that it plays an important role in tightly packing the DNA structure and protects the mice from future stress.
Have you ever faced any kind of childhood trauma, or have any of your relatives and friends witnessed such incidents? How do you cope and help them normalise?
MBH/PS