DID and epigenetic markers

They have found microRNA markers for PTSD (Maatricht university 2017) but is there are insight in epigenetic markers like methylation patterns for DID state or switch?

Say what?

MDs

I doubt it. If only clinical research were being done near me in the underlying biochemistry of DID, I might just volunteer. Both parents had DID and at least one other relative, possibly more.

Johnny-Jack wrote:I doubt it. If only clinical research were being done near me in the underlying biochemistry of DID, I might just volunteer. Both parents had DID and at least one other relative, possibly more.

That is really interesting, makes you wonder how much is nature vs nurture or the combo there of. One thing that they are starting to understand is that trauma can be passed on from generation to generation thru cell memory. IE the trauma is stored in your DNA........That is interesting as when someone receives a organ transplant sometimes they take on some characteristics of the person they received the organ from IE cell memory is in every cell of our body.

Just a complete side note and thought some people believe that some DID is caused by past lives and personalities coming through from other lives. I personally do not believe in past lives nor do I believe that some DID is caused by such. However if trauma can be past on from generation to generation is it possible that one might start out more hypervigulant than others based on past trauma already implanted in their subconscious? I think the power of the brain and complexity of our bodies is so beyond what any man really understands and the true power is beyond remote understanding.

epigenetics captures nature AND nurture. I am sure there are epigenetic changes in the brains of people with DID - and with any disorder.

It is unlike that there are epigenetic marks that occur with a switch - they generally aren't as dynamic as that in non-diving cells. However I bet there may be marks that are associated with someone being able to switch.

But the cool thing is that epigenetic marks can change - they are more plastic than what was thought before. So we can change! at our epigenetic level. But it takes a lot of time and consistent changes in the environment ......

miRNAs will also regulate gene expression (as do epigenetic marks) so that is super cool about the miRNAs....

Genetics are 99% over my head but a super-cool topic. I did the whole 23andme* thing, and found so much info I had my kids tested (and parents). Good thing because my kiddos carry a lot of genes linked to mental illness like I do, including methylation genes like MTHFR.

So yes, methylation is a likely culprit or factor for some (but unlikely to be the sole cause). The process affects all neurotransmitters, therefore can worsen or set into motion any mood disorder.

In answer to your question: I went to this website I belong to and found only one report on genes that are thought to be linked to dissociative disorders. Lucsala, you made a good connection to PTSD genes btw ... Anyway the report analyzes about 130 genes, but here are the main genotypes I found (and wow, I am rocking quite a few of these mutations): CA1, FLVCR2, GRIK1, PDLIM4, PDYN.

[MTHFR is definitely worth looking into for anyone who is treatment-resistant, prone to side effects, or just not getting results from meds, and is something you can find out easily with a DNA test. Turns out the drug-induced Parkinsons I got at age 30 was due in large part to these genes ... my body couldn't metabolize the meds so they built up until they hit toxic levels and jacked me up even further. Now I know what I can and can't take. Deplin* worked miracles for me; some get 5-HTP from the health food store.]

*I'm not promoting or recommending anything, these are just things that work for me. As complicated as it is, I wouldn't treat anything without working with a professional (PsyD, nutritionist, MD, etc) or doing a good bit of research first

TheyBrokeMe wrote:
[MTHFR is definitely worth looking into for anyone who is treatment-resistant, prone to side effects, or just not getting results from meds, and is something you can find out easily with a DNA test. Turns out the drug-induced Parkinsons I got at age 30 was due in large part to these genes ... my body couldn't metabolize the meds so they built up until they hit toxic levels and jacked me up even further. Now I know what I can and can't take. Deplin* worked miracles for me; some get 5-HTP from the health food store.]

*I'm not promoting or recommending anything, these are just things that work for me. As complicated as it is, I wouldn't treat anything without working with a professional (PsyD, nutritionist, MD, etc) or doing a good bit of research first

My son hit the MTHFR C677T mutation and I have compound MTHFR C677T and A1298C mutation, imaginge that....5-methyltetrahydrofolate 15 mg and b6 help both me and my son with overall general mental health..............My husband has yet to be tested, if he tests negative then that means both my MTHFR genes have mutations as it is 100% hereditary. Since my son only has the C677T then he would have gotten it from one of my genes. The testing does not articulate if the compound is in one gene both areas or each gene has a mutation....Hope that makes sense.................

I brought this up at the annual International society for dissociation and trauma conference in March in D.C. they said they have never heard of it....The one Dr I was talking to, . Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D. is an American psychiatrist, currently the Senior Fellow of the ChildTrauma Academy in Houston, Texas and an Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, and I also believe he is a nuro scientist............He said he has never heard of it and they can not pin point direct genetics yet for mental health concerns.......I calming said it is part of standard geno typing for medication management that the Dr does. He started to stutter and turn red, I suggested that maybe he look further into it as he does brain mapping with children and what not..................

the ability to dissociate in general has a genetic component/predisposition to it, but DID is solely trauma related.

a person can have the genetic predisposition to be able to dissociate if they don't have the coping skills to handle emotions/situations, etc., but without either prolonged and/or multiple traumas, DID isn't likely to develop, but it also goes with age since DID develops prior to age 7 or so.

so, you can have a genetic predisposition for general dissociation, but there are still other factors as to whether a person develops just PTSD or is on the dissociative disorder spectrum that includes DID and OSDD.

perpetuo27 wrote:the ability to dissociate in general has a genetic component/predisposition to it, but DID is solely trauma related.

Yep and I want to make sure my post is interpreted this way. Abuse caused the DID in my family, though it seems to me that the familial capacity to dissociate is genetic, or perhaps epigenetic.

I stumbled across this article this year (bit of a research geek). It's interesting that transgenerational dissociation is being recognized and researched.

Sally E. McCollum (2015) Multigenerational Dissociation: A Framework for Building Narrative, Journal of Trauma and Dissociation, 16:5, 563-576.
http://news.isst-d.org/multigenerational-dissociation-a-framework-for-building-narrative