Figure 2.

Epigenetic alterations in major depressive disorder. Evidence from human and animal observations indicates that environmental stimuli, such as stressful experiences, are associated with a deregulation of epigenetic modifications. These modifications include deregulation in profiles of hypermethylated genes, miRNA profiles and histone modifications. In addition, it has been reported that antidepressant treatment may act via modulation of these epigenetic modifications, particularly histone modification. Likewise, during recessive episodes, epigenetic modification described in MDD patients can return to their baseline state (control patients without MDD).