Stress-induced epigenetic phenomena - one more biological mechanism of suicide

Epigenetic phenomena (DNA methylation, histone post-transcriptional modifications and effects of microRNA) are widely discussed recently as an important intermediary mechanism between stressful life events and genetic background of the organism. Stress, especially in the early life, but also later in life, can trigger these events promoting enhanced stress-reactivity and other alterations that further can lead to mental health problems and mental disorders. From the point of view of epigenetics, environment seems to be more important factor that genes, especially when behavior is involved. There is a growing evidence today that epigenetic changes in several brain systems, including BDNF, as well as in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis are also found in suicide victims. This evidence may become the basis for developing conceptual schemes of the role of stress and epigenetics in suicide, especially taking into consideration the role of psycho-social stress and rapid changes in the social environment.