The Role of Epigenetics in Psychological Disorders: A Neurobiological and Environmental Interface

Abstract

A complex interaction of neurological, environmental, and hereditary factors results in psychological diseases. Emerging studies in epigenetics provide a revolutionary lens through which we can comprehend the dynamic control of gene expression without changing the underlying DNA sequence, whereas classic models have mostly concentrated on inherited predispositions and neurochemical imbalances. The genesis, course, and response to therapy of conditions like depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and anxiety are increasingly being linked to epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs. This study examines what is now known about the epigenetic modification of genes related to neurodevelopment, stress response, and synaptic plasticity. It also looks at how trauma, early-life hardship, and lifestyle choices might leave enduring epigenetic traces that affect mental susceptibility throughout life.