The plasticity of development: How knowledge of epigenetics may advance understanding of eating disorders. Issue 7 (27th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Strober, Michael; Peris, Tara; Steiger, Howard; Weissman, Ruth Striegel; Klump, Kelly; Steiger, Howard; Tanofsky‐Kraff, Marian
• Is Part Of: International journal of eating disorders. Volume 47:Issue 7(2014:Nov.)
• Page Start: 696
• Page End: 704
• Publication Date: 2014-06-27
• Subjects: Appetite disorders -- Periodicals; Ingestion disorders -- Periodicals; Eating disorders -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1002/eat.22322
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0276-3478

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec id="eat22322-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To depict the processes through which animals and human beings engage their environment in continuously evolving states of conflict and cooperation.</p> </sec> <sec id="eat22322-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>Descriptive literature review.</p> </sec> <sec id="eat22322-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Life history outcomes are more relative than they are absolute. Genetic variations play a crucial role, but heavily influencing behavioral outcomes, psychopathology included, are external cues that epigenetically remodel DNA along experience‐dependent signaling pathways. The result is phenotypes that either optimize adjustment, or constrain it.</p> </sec> <sec id="eat22322-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Discussion</title> <p>Knowledge of epigenetic mechanisms may help shed new light on the origin of maturational phenotypes underlying eating disorders and why adjusting treatments to these realities warrants our attention. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2014; 47:696–704)</p> </sec> </abstract>