Pamela Scorza1,2, Cristiane S Duarte1,2, Alison E Hipwell3, Jonathan Posner1,2, Ana Ortin4, Glorisa Canino5, Catherine Monk2,6. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA. 2. New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA. 3. Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. 4. Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA. 5. School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, USA. 6. Departments of Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: For decades, economists and sociologists have documented intergenerational transmission of socioeconomic disadvantage, demonstrating that economic, political, and social factors contribute to 'inherited hardship'. Drawing on biological factors, the developmental origins of adult health and disease model posits that fetal exposure to maternal prenatal distress associated with socioeconomic disadvantage compromises offspring's neurodevelopment, affecting short- and long-term physical and mental health, and thereby psychosocial standing and resources. Increasing evidence suggests that mother-to-child influence occurs prenatally, in part via maternal and offspring atypical HPA axis regulation, with negative effects on the maturation of prefrontal and subcortical neural circuits in the offspring. However, even this in utero timeframe may be insufficient to understand biological aspects of the transmission of factors contributing to disadvantage across generations. METHODS: We review animal studies and emerging human research indicating that parents' childhood experiences may transfer epigenetic marks that could impact the development of their offspring independently of and in interaction with their offspring's perinatal and early childhood direct exposures to stress stemming from socioeconomic disadvantage and adversity. RESULTS: Animal models point to epigenetic mechanisms by which traits that could contribute to disadvantage may be transmitted across generations. However, epigenetic pathways of parental childhood experiences influencing child outcomes in the next generation are only beginning to be studied in humans. With a focus on translational research, we point to design features and methodological considerations for human cohort studies to be able to test the intergenerational transmission hypothesis, and we illustrate this with existing longitudinal studies. CONCLUSIONS: Epigenetic intergenerational transmission, if at play in human populations, could have policy implications in terms of reducing the continuation of disadvantage across generations. Further research is needed to address this gap in the understanding of the perpetuation of compromised lives across generations.
BACKGROUND: For decades, economists and sociologists have documented intergenerational transmission of socioeconomic disadvantage, demonstrating that economic, political, and social factors contribute to 'inherited hardship'. Drawing on biological factors, the developmental origins of adult health and disease model posits that fetal exposure to maternal prenatal distress associated with socioeconomic disadvantage compromises offspring's neurodevelopment, affecting short- and long-term physical and mental health, and thereby psychosocial standing and resources. Increasing evidence suggests that mother-to-child influence occurs prenatally, in part via maternal and offspring atypical HPA axis regulation, with negative effects on the maturation of prefrontal and subcortical neural circuits in the offspring. However, even this in utero timeframe may be insufficient to understand biological aspects of the transmission of factors contributing to disadvantage across generations. METHODS: We review animal studies and emerging human research indicating that parents' childhood experiences may transfer epigenetic marks that could impact the development of their offspring independently of and in interaction with their offspring's perinatal and early childhood direct exposures to stress stemming from socioeconomic disadvantage and adversity. RESULTS: Animal models point to epigenetic mechanisms by which traits that could contribute to disadvantage may be transmitted across generations. However, epigenetic pathways of parental childhood experiences influencing child outcomes in the next generation are only beginning to be studied in humans. With a focus on translational research, we point to design features and methodological considerations for human cohort studies to be able to test the intergenerational transmission hypothesis, and we illustrate this with existing longitudinal studies. CONCLUSIONS: Epigenetic intergenerational transmission, if at play in human populations, could have policy implications in terms of reducing the continuation of disadvantage across generations. Further research is needed to address this gap in the understanding of the perpetuation of compromised lives across generations.
Authors: Shawn L Chavez; Sohyun L McElroy; Nancy L Bossert; Christopher J De Jonge; Maria Vera Rodriguez; Denise E Leong; Barry Behr; Lynn M Westphal; Renee A Reijo Pera Journal: Hum Mol Genet Date: 2014-05-12 Impact factor: 6.150
Authors: Betty Lin; Parisa R Kaliush; Elisabeth Conradt; Sarah Terrell; Dylan Neff; Ashley K Allen; Marcela C Smid; Catherine Monk; Sheila E Crowell Journal: Dev Psychopathol Date: 2019-05-08
Authors: Neda Senehi; Marjo Flykt; Zeynep Biringen; Mark L Laudenslager; Sarah Enos Watamura; Brady A Garrett; Terrence K Kominsky; Hannah E Wurster; Michelle Sarche Journal: Prev Sci Date: 2021-11-13
Authors: Danielle A Swales; Elysia Poggi Davis; Nicole E Mahrer; Christine M Guardino; Madeleine U Shalowitz; Sharon L Ramey; Chris Dunkel Schetter Journal: Dev Psychopathol Date: 2022-01-25
Authors: Shakira F Suglia; Danielle M Crookes; Robert Kaplan; Daniela Sotres-Alvarez; Maria M Llabre; Linda Van Horn; Mercedes R Carnethon; Carmen R Isasi Journal: J Psychosom Res Date: 2020-02-05 Impact factor: 3.006
Authors: Kaitlyn K Stanhope; Jeff R Temple; Carla Bann; Corette B Parker; Donald Dudley; Carol J R Hogue Journal: Soc Sci Med Date: 2021-06-16 Impact factor: 5.379