title: Epigenetic and gene expression changes in the adolescent brain: What have we learned from animal models?
abstract: Adolescence is defined as the gradual period of transition between childhood and adulthood that is characterized by significant brain maturation, growth spurts, sexual maturation, and heightened social interaction. Although originally believed to be a uniquely human aspect of development, rodent and non-human primates demonstrate maturational patterns that distinctly support an adolescent stage. As epigenetic processes are essential for development and differentiation, but also transpire in mature cells in response to environmental influences, they are an important aspect of adolescent brain maturation. The purpose of this review article was to examine epigenetic programming in animal models of brain maturation during adolescence. The discussion focuses on animal models to examine three main concepts; epigenetic processes involved in normal adolescent brain maturation, the influence of fetal programming on adolescent brain development and the epigenome, and finally, postnatal experiences such as exercise and drugs that modify epigenetic processes important for adolescent brain maturation. This corollary emphasizes the utility of animal models to further our understanding of complex processes such as epigenetic regulation and brain development.
authors.affiliation: Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Department of Psychology, AD030 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada. Electronic address: rmmychas@ucalgary.ca.
authors.forename: Richelle
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mychasiuk
authors.affiliation: Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada.
authors.forename: Gerlinde A S
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Metz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D023421:Models, Animal
keywords: DNA methylation; Development; Histone modification; Prefrontal cortex