Etiology 2

Question 1

Environmental Factors

Answer 1

-Low SES
-Poverty
-Community violence

-Access to health care
-Stigmatization of mental health problems

-Minority group position
-Cultural factors
-Religious Factors

Question 2

How do environmental factors exert their influence?

Answer 2

Altered gene expression via
-Stress system
-Epigenetics

Question 3

Cortisol

Answer 3

Stress hormone important in defence response; protective + promote adaptation
Cortisol binds to glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in body

GR acts as transcription factor and can alter gene expression
GR also in several brain areas
GR in hypothalamus, hypophysis and hippocampus; negative feedback loop > shut down CRF release

Question 4

HPA-axis

Answer 4

Sustained high levels of cortisol - harmful - hypertension - immunosupression, cardiovascular disease, structural effects hippocampus + amygdala, increased chance psychopathology.

Early life stress - life long overactive HPA-axis = Less GR to help shut down the system

Question 5

Gene - environment interactions

Answer 5

Gene - environment interaction between MAO-A gene and childhood maltreatment on outcome ASPD
- Short allelle of 5HTT increases chance of depression when life stress present
-Effects of child abuse on adult depressive symptoms are moderated by genetic polymorphisms within the corticotropin-releasing hormone type 1 receptor gene.

Question 6

Epigenetics

Answer 6

-Chemically coating the DNA
-Ease or block access to genes on DNA
-Coating alters gene expression, but NOT genetic code
-Environmental programming of gene expression
-Life experiences - Literally change a persons mind
-Epigenetic changes

Question 7

Epigenetics - Maternal care

Answer 7

Variations in maternal care affect HPA-axis responses to stress in offspring
Parenting practices can profoundly shape child’s development and mental health > evidence via epigenetics

Question 8

Parental Care & Epigenetics

Answer 8

-Parent care influences the activity of the neural systems that regulate stress reactivity and cognition in offspring through the epigenetic regulation of gene expression
-Broader social and economic context can influence the quality of parental acre
-Negative effects of poor parental care can be reversed by good quality care by others