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How does the social environment ‘get into the mind’? Epigenetics at the intersection of social and psychiatric epidemiology

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  • Toyokawa, Satoshi
  • Uddin, Monica
  • Koenen, Karestan C.
  • Galea, Sandro

Abstract

The social environment plays a considerable role in determining major psychiatric disorders. Emerging evidence suggests that features of the social environment modify gene expression independently of the primary DNA sequence through epigenetic processes. Accordingly, dysfunction of epigenetic mechanisms offers a plausible mechanism by which an adverse social environment gets “into the mind” and results in poor mental health. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the studies suggesting that epigenetic changes introduced by the social environment then manifest as psychological consequences. Our goal is to build a platform to discuss the ways in which future epidemiologic studies may benefit from including epigenetic measures. We focus on schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, anorexia nervosa, and substance dependence as examples that highlight the ways in which social environmental exposures, mediated through epigenetic processes, affect mental health.

Suggested Citation

  • Toyokawa, Satoshi & Uddin, Monica & Koenen, Karestan C. & Galea, Sandro, 2012. "How does the social environment ‘get into the mind’? Epigenetics at the intersection of social and psychiatric epidemiology," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(1), pages 67-74.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:74:y:2012:i:1:p:67-74
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.09.036
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Silver, Eric & Mulvey, Edward P. & Swanson, Jeffrey W., 2002. "Neighborhood structural characteristics and mental disorder: Faris and Dunham revisited," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 55(8), pages 1457-1470, October.
    2. Afifi, T.O. & Enns, M.W. & Cox, B.J. & Asmundson, G.J.G. & Stein, M.B. & Sareen, J., 2008. "Population attributable fractions of psychiatric disorders and suicide ideation and attempts associated with adverse childhood experiences," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 98(5), pages 946-952.
    3. Andrew P. Feinberg, 2007. "Phenotypic plasticity and the epigenetics of human disease," Nature, Nature, vol. 447(7143), pages 433-440, May.
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    1. Fernando Navarro-Mateu & Teresa Escámez & Karestan C Koenen & Jordi Alonso & Julio Sánchez-Meca, 2013. "Meta-Analyses of the 5-HTTLPR Polymorphisms and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(6), pages 1-17, June.

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