Epigenetic Markers of Early Life Stress and Emotional Regulation in the Development of Stress-Related Psychopathology

Abstract

Early life stress (ELS) is a potent environmental factor that shapes vulnerability to stress-related psychopathology across the lifespan. Converging evidence indicates that adverse experiences during sensitive developmental periods alter neurodevelopmental trajectories through epigenetic mechanisms that regulate stress-responsive gene expression. This review synthesizes findings on how ELS induces persistent epigenetic modifications-such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNA regulation-in key biological systems involved in emotional regulation, including the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and limbic circuitry. Genes central to stress responsivity and neural plasticity, including NR3C1 and BDNF, emerge as critical epigenetic targets linking early adversity to dysregulated emotional processing and heightened risk for anxiety, depression, and related disorders. Emotional regulation is highlighted as a central mediator through which epigenetic programming translates early environmental exposure into long-term behavioral and psychiatric outcomes. Understanding these epigenetic signatures provides insight into mechanisms of developmental vulnerability and resilience and offers promise for identifying biomarkers and intervention targets for stress-related psychopathology