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Epigenetics include the amygdala, hippocampus, and pre-
The results of Felitti’s study which describes the frontal cortex. Traumatic stress can be asso-
impact of secondary traumatization, also leads ciated with lasting changes in these brain areas
to the recent developments of epigenetics which such as fewer number of neural networks in
delineate the direct link between traumatic medial pre-frontal cortex and the reduction in
events in the lives of our progenitors, and the size of the amygdala and hippocampus. “We are
enormous influence this can continue to have coming to grasp that psychological trauma phy-
on the patterns in our choices and overall func- sically impacts the brain immediately following
tioning. injury, and over time.” 2
Through recent innovations in the field of ge-
netics and neurobiology, we are beginning to It is not exactly clear how this happens, but
better understand the long-term impact of the consequences of these neuroanatomical
pain, terror and trauma not only on our psy- changes can wreak havoc in the functioning,
ches and our bodies, but also on those of our behavior and mood of those affected by Post
children and their children. “The term “epige- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Traumatic
netics” refers to a set of potentially heritable stress is associated with increased cortisol and
changes in the genome that can be induced by norepinephrine responses to subsequent stres-
environmental events. These changes affect the sors. “If you are traumatized and have PTSD
function of genomic DNA, its associated histo- symptoms, you may experience chronic stress,
ne proteins, and non‐coding RNAs, collectively vigilance, fear, and irritation. You may also have
referred to as chromatin, but do not involve an a hard time feeling safe, calming down, or slee-
alteration of DNA sequence.” 1 ping. These symptoms are all the result of a hy-
Brain areas implicated in the stress response peractive amygdala.”(Ibid)

1 Yehuda, R., and Lehrner, A. “Intergenerational trans- 2 Grant, H.B. “New Study Shows Brain Change After
mission of trauma effects: putative role of epigenetic me- Psychological Trauma.” Psychology Today Posted Dec
chanisms.” World Psychiatry 17:3 p.246.07 September 05, 2018. Accessed June 18, 2019. https://www.psycho-
2018. Accessed June 17, 2019 https://doi.org/10.1002/ logytoday.com/us/blog/experimentations/201812/new-
wps.20568 study-shows-brain-change-after-psychological-trauma

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