Emerging roles of epigenetic mechanisms in the enduring effects of early-life stress and experience on learning and memory

Epigenetic mechanisms are involved in programming gene expression throughout development. In addition, they are key contributors to the processes by which early-life experience fine-tunes the expression levels of key neuronal genes, governing learning and memory throughout life. Here we describe the long-lasting, bi-directional effects of early-life experience on learning and memory. We discuss how enriched postnatal experience enduringly augments spatial learning, and how chronic early-life stress results in persistent and progressive deficits in the structure and function of hippocampal neurons. The existing and emerging roles of epigenetic mechanisms in these fundamental neuroplasticity phenomena are illustrated.

Research highlights► Early-life experience affects gene expression in an enduring, bi-directional manner. ► Epigenetic processes influence responses to stress throughout life. ► Crh gene changes due to early-life stress are important in stress-related disorders. ► Altered learning and hippocampal function are linked to such epigenetic changes.