Non-genetic Inheritance of Behaviour and Stress Resilience

摘要

Recent research has shown that brain function and behaviour can be influenced by experience and environmental conditions of previous generations. Studies of the mechanisms of transgenerational programming may provide milestones in the identification of the origins of mental illness and neurological disorders. The origins of neurological conditions in most cases remain unknown, however, striking evidence suggests that onset and severity are influenced by adverse experiences, such as stress. Stress is able to generate an epigenetic memory that potentially can be passed on from generation to generation. Such non-genomic inheritance primarily serves adaptive purposes and may enhance resilience to adversity, while at the same time it may also negatively affect the offspring’s health trajectory. This mini-review discusses stress-associated behavioural, physiological and epigenetic manifestations and their potential inheritance to subsequent generations. We conclude that transgenerational stress induces complex behavioural and endocrine changes with both adaptive and maladaptive outcomes. The understanding of heritable and acquired stress vulnerability and resilience mechanisms will ultimately contribute to improved intervention strategies for psychiatric disease and stress-related neurological disorders.