Biography

Frances A. Champagne, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Columbia University whose main research interest concerns the interplay between genes and environment, and how variations in early life experiences can shape the brain and behavior through epigenetic changes in gene expression. Her research is currently exploring the mechanisms of risk vs. resilience to such early life experiences and determination of the transgenerational impact of parental and offspring experiences. Professor Champagne received an MSc in Psychiatry (1999) and PhD in Neuroscience (2004) from McGill University. In 2007 she received an NIH Director’s New Innovator Award. Dr. Champagne is a faculty member of the Doctoral Program in Neurobiology and Behavior, Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology, Columbia Population Research Center (CPRC), and the Columbia Center for Research on Ethical, Legal & Social Implications of Psychiatric, Neurologic & Behavioral Genetics.

1-106 - Epigenetic Plasticity of the Developing Brain

Session Type: Invited Address

Integrative Statement

Experiences occurring in early development can have enduring effects on the brain and behavior. Epigenetic mechanisms, encompassing molecular changes that alter gene activity without changes to the underlying DNA sequence, may account for both the dynamic and stable effects of these experiences. Several themes have emerged in the study of environmentally-induced epigenetic effects, including the sex- and tissue-specificity of epigenetic programming and the potential transmission of epigenetic variation across generations. Here, I will describe evidence implicating epigenetic mechanisms in the link between experiences occurring during development and altered neuroendocrine and behavioral outcomes. I will also discuss how these molecular events are hypothesized to contribute to the transgenerational inheritance of traits and the dynamic interplay between parents and offspring that shape developmental outcomes within and across generations.

Sub Unit

• SRCD Biennial Meeting

Chair

• Dante Cicchetti, University of Minnesota

Speaker

• Frances Anne Champagne, Columbia University