Abstract

Depression is associated with various epigenetic alterations. Some of the epigenetic changes induced by depression are highly dynamic, while others involve permanent imprints within the epigenome. Our study will examine epigenetic changes that occur in acute depression, chronic depression, childhood depression, and traumatic depression, as well as changes observed in postmortem brain and completed blood samples. An extensive narrative review of the literature was conducted. In addition, intergenerational effects of these changes have also been reported. In all types of depression studies investigated, the Nr3c1, OXTR, SLC6A4, and BDNF genes showed reproducible epigenetic alterations, and several modifications were observed, leading to subsequent generations after exposure to depression. The above genes are known to be involved in neuronal development and hormone regulation, and are all associated with susceptibility to psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, personality disorders and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Depressive Disorder). Further research is needed to determine the range of epigenetically viable goals in individuals suffering from the long-term effects of a depressive experience.