[MUSIC] Hello, today we have the opportunity to have Dr Jorge Dávila. Institutional Psychiatrist of the Department of Mental Health of the Santa Fe de Bogota Foundation. Today we are going to talk about epigenetics and the treatments related to it. Good morning Dr Davila. >> Hello, María Alejandra, nice to greet you. >> Nice to meet you. We would like to start by knowing specifically what epigenetics is. And why this is important, and how it relates to depression. >> Well, look, epigenetics basically consists of in the study of all those events that can modify the activity of DNA. which is the key molecule that coordinates the production of proteins in all tissues and in all the cells that we have in our tissues. Then this very famous and very important DNA. We thought of a time that was, let's say so, rigidly programmed to produce some specific quantities of some of these proteins. And just over time the research showed that, in the particular case of the DNA of neurons, this is not the case. That is to say, depending on the experiences that the subject has had, especially in his early life. That DNA will express, produce, more or less amounts of certain proteins. And that, ultimately, then, will lead to your general neural pattern of functioning, and therefore emotional, behavioral. It can be modified depending on what those early experiences have been. In that order of ideas, we know today that, within events that have this epigenetic charge. That is, this modification of DNA activity, which are more significant. There are the events that we call early stress or adverse experiences early. The greater the number of such experiences in the first part of the cycle of the life. There is a greater risk that, then, that DNA does not produce enough of some proteins, which is not good. And an excessive amount of others that are suddenly not so functional, They are a bit toxic. So, notice that this is what epigenetics studies today. And it's how early experience relates to modification of these patterns of DNA activity. >> Very interesting, doctor. And, what relevance, then, would this have in the context of therapeutics? >> Sure, well, look what. [COUGH] If we just understand that, depending on that burden of adverse events. The person little by little accumulates, so to speak, These are like genetic scars, because that's practically what it's all about. Of these imprinting's that modify the pattern of DNA activity. If it has been accumulating throughout life, in a systematic way, a pattern of change in the production of some of these proteins. And that ultimately makes you more exposed to diagnoses like depression, some forms of anxiety, tendency to consume certain substances. Well, surely any effective therapeutic intervention should reverse what the adverse events produced or produced in that DNA. In other words, we really should manage to clean those DNA traces left by early experiences of stress. So, yes, you know, the interventions that today we do at the pharmacological level, at the psychotherapeutic level. With forms of invasive and non-invasive brain stimulation, well, with diets. With different forms, let's say it like this, of trying to help nerve tissue regain its optimal functionality. Well, finally they will have to have this last instance cleaning of those scars in the person's DNA. And that, today, is quite proven. In other words, if we manage to do the job of reversing what the adverse experience in his moment provoked. >> On the other hand, Are there recent advances in research that show anything about this topic? >> Yes, ma'am. Many fields of neuroscience research, and in particular in the neurosciences applied to psychiatry. They have taken it upon themselves to assess precisely how, at different levels, or shall we say with the different research tools we have. You can actually find these, say, modifications of the activity of this DNA. That he left how disturbed by the stress that the person suffered early. So we have, you know, things at the molecular level, at the level of functioning endocrine of the brain, at the level of metabolic functioning. That we can diagnose it with certain diagnostic images such as resonance functional magnetic core. So, you know, it's been shown that, for example, certain circuits brain in people who have been subjected to high levels of stress. Not only have they modified this level of DNA activity, but precisely this different activity, modified, iterated. It makes those networks also work in an abnormal way. So, yes we have a series of exams, as I say, both at the neuroendocrine level and at the imaging level and at the level of molecular studies of the nervous system. Which show that this is just as I have described it to you. >> Perfect doctor, and would you like to tell us about some of your conclusions? related to the topic? >> Sure, there were a lot of them, but you know? I think it is perhaps the most relevant to my judgment. It is that all this approach in epigenetic research allows us to underline, and make very pertinent, the notion that Treatments in psychiatry must be personalized. And they must be based, precisely, on the best available evidence in each case. So, notice that, today we know how. Depending on how these DNA segments are rearranged and rearranged other things in the functioning of the nervous system. And therefore the behavior of the person. We will have symptoms of, let's say, more anxiety, a little more loss of capacity for pleasure, cognitive symptoms, certain forms of mental rumination. Certain symptoms that have to do with certain forms such as pessimism very deep etc So, notice that, depending on what those alterations are. One should individualize as best as possible the treatments and interventions to make it more effective. And obviously, if at a given moment in some hospital contexts. We have some of these exams that allow us these levels of accuracy we were talking about. Well, we will have tools that help this customization of treatment even more effective. A little what I want to tell you with this is that we don't count then at this time, nor do we have to aspire to count. With treatments that are useful for all people who have depression. Rather, every person with depression should be, I repeat, individualized and treated in the most specific way possible. >> Well, doctor, thank you very much for joining us. Hopefully you have enjoyed. >> Thank you very much, Maria Alejandra. And to you too, thank you very much, well, for seeing us and listening to us. 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