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News Updates
January 23, 2012

Articles by Dr. A. Janov: http://cigognenews.blogspot.com

Increased methylation of glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) in adults with a history of childhood maltreatment: a link with the severity and type of trauma

Childhood maltreatment, through epigenetic modification of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1), influences the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA axis). We investigated whether childhood maltreatment and its severity were associated with increased methylation of the exon 1F NR3C1 promoter, in 101 borderline personality disorder (BPD) and 99 major depressive disorder (MDD) subjects with, respectively, a high and low rate of childhood maltreatment, and 15 MDD subjects with comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Childhood sexual abuse, its severity and the number of type of maltreatments positively correlated with NR3C1 methylation (P=6.16 × 10-8, 5.18 × 10-7 and 1.25 × 10-9, respectively). In BPD, repetition of abuses and sexual abuse with penetration correlated with a higher methylation percentage. Peripheral blood might therefore serve as a proxy for environmental effects on epigenetic processes. These findings suggest that early life events may permanently impact on the HPA axis though epigenetic modifications of the NR3C1. This is a mechanism by which childhood maltreatment may lead to adulthood psychopathology.

More at: http://www.nature.com/tp/journal/v1/n12/full/tp201160a.html

Swiss 'contract children' speak out

A dark chapter of Swiss history is getting increased attention, with the release of a feature film about "Verdingkinder" or "contract children" and an exhibition about them which is touring the country.
A common feature of Swiss life until the mid-1950s, Verdingkinder were primarily children from poor families in the cities, forcibly removed from their parents by the authorities and sent to work on farms.
more @: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16620597

ABC News:
N.C. to Compensate Victims of Sterilization in 20th Century Eugenics Program

North Carolina will become the first state to compensate victims of a mass sterilization program that targeted poor minorities in a 20th century eugenics program, offering a $50,000 a person.
more: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/WomensHealth/north-carolina-compensate-victims-eugenics-program-sterilized/story?id=15328707#.Tw9Gfvms_MA

Child Stars Speak Out Against Abuse

Child sexual abuse is rampant in Hollywood, say several child stars in the know. What's being done about it? Not a whole lot. Corey Feldman revealed that he and Corey Haim were sexually abused throughout their teens by adults in Hollywood -- and now other former childhood stars are speaking out and backing up his claims.

More at: http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/851171/hollywood-sex-abuse-is-rampant-say-child-stars