Welcome to the World of Epigenetics

 Epigenetics:

the study of changes in the gene activities that do not alter the genetic code and are capable of being passed down to the next generation of the organism

Did You Know That.... 

There are studies being conducted on not only how epigenetic tags affect behavior, but how behavior can change epigenetic tags. Some highlights:

• People who commit suicide have less-active ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes than people who die of other causes. In people who commit suicide Methyl levels are higher on rRNA genes in a part of the brain called the hippocampus, which is important for learning and meory. More methyl means less rRNA production, which means fewer ribosomes, which means less protein production (12).
• Child abuse is an enviormental factor that leaves an epigenetic mark on the brain. In a comparison of suicide victims who were abused or not, only those abused had an epigenetic tag on the GR gene (12).   Read More