Posted by Larry Hoover on January 29, 2009, at 11:31:44
In reply to Re: Epigenetics and mental illness » Larry Hoover, posted by antigua3 on January 29, 2009, at 10:33:44
A person has the same genes before and after the event that triggers PTSD. Epigenetics says that the genes are working differently than they were before. It's like switches are thrown. The body reacts in a different but stable physiological pattern to new stimuli. Some genes are more active than they were, and some less so. The kind of change I'm talking about appears to be at least semi-permanent. And, bizarre as it may sound, these non-genetic gene regulatory changes can be passed down to the next generation(s).
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:874594
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090104/msgs/876996.html