[Stress reactivity and stress-resilience in the pathogenesis of depressive disorders: involvement of epigenetic mechanisms].

Abstract

The data of epigenetic studies of stress reactivity and resilience in the pathogenesis of depression in experimental animals and humans subjected to stress at different periods of life are analyzed. Specific chromatin modifications, first of all histone acetylation and methylation, are controlling expression of definite genes in distinct brain structures. Epigenetic modulation of particular genes related to development of pro-depressive or antidepressive stress response are discussed (5HT transporter and receptors, corticotropin releasing hormone, glucocorticoid and their receptors, BDNF and other neurotrophic factors).