<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The human genome consists of roughly 23000 genes which cannot explain the enormous diversity of proteins or behavior. A second epigenetic code warrants adaptive variation of gene expression. The rationale of this variation are transfer reactions such as methylation, acetylation or phosphorylation of DNA or histones including reverse reactions which are supposed to be altered by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The method has been successfully used since the 1930ies but the underlying molecular mechanism of action has not been elucidated yet. The paper discusses the theoretical involvement of epigenetic gene expression as an adaptive process to explain biochemical changes after ECT administration.</p>
</abstract>

The human genome consists of roughly 23000 genes which cannot explain the enormous diversity of proteins or behavior. A second epigenetic code warrants adaptive variation of gene expression. The rationale of this variation are transfer reactions such as methylation, acetylation or phosphorylation of DNA or histones including reverse reactions which are supposed to be altered by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The method has been successfully used since the 1930ies but the underlying molecular mechanism of action has not been elucidated yet. The paper discusses the theoretical involvement of epigenetic gene expression as an adaptive process to explain biochemical changes after ECT administration.

Possible Hypothetical Mode of Action of ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) Based on DNA Dipole Character and Epigenetics

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

Acta Medica Bulgarica

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The human genome consists of roughly 23000 genes which cannot explain the enormous diversity of proteins or behavior. A second epigenetic code warrants...

Possible Hypothetical Mode of Action of ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) Based on DNA Dipole Character and Epigenetics

Published Online: Nov 20, 2021

Page range: 57 - 61

Received: Feb 22, 2021

Accepted: Mar 27, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/amb-2021-0049

Keywords
epigenetics, electroconvulsive therapy, DNA, RNA, histone, transferase enzyme family, gene expression, new hypothesis

© 2021 H. J. Koch, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Possible Hypothetical Mode of Action of ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) Based on DNA Dipole Character and Epigenetics

Published Online: Nov 20, 2021

Page range: 57 - 61

Received: Feb 22, 2021

Accepted: Mar 27, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/amb-2021-0049

Keywordsepigenetics, electroconvulsive therapy, DNA, RNA, histone, transferase enzyme family, gene expression, new hypothesis

© 2021 H. J. Koch, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
epigenetics, electroconvulsive therapy, DNA, RNA, histone, transferase enzyme family, gene expression, new hypothesis