Of mice and men (October 2018)

According to an article in the May 24th edition of the Economist Magazine, emerging evidence suggests that the consequences of mistreatment in childhood may persist down generations, affecting a victim’s children or grandchildren, even if they have experienced no abuse themselves.

Childhood stress affects sperm microRNAs

In the study carried out by a team led by researchers at Tufts University, the level of two types of sperm microRNAs (miRNAs) were measured in 28 adult white men.  They found that the levels of these miRNAs were lower in men who scored higher on a questionnaire used to assess exposure to trauma in childhood.  MiRNAs are small molecules that regulate genes. While these molecules don’t alter the DNA itself, but they do control which genes are active and when. 

Stress passes between mice generations

In the part of the study with mice, researchers found that the effects of early life stress are passed onto not only the offspring, but also to the third generation.  These effects were also seen in the female “grandchildren” of male mice who were stressed early in life. On top of that, the male offspring of the original mice also had lower levels of the two sperm miRNAs.

And, what about men?

Further studies are needed to know for sure if men exposed to stress as children can pass on the lowered miRNA levels to their children and grandchildren.  Other studies suggest that mental illness — which may result from childhood trauma or stress — could be passed onto children.  In recent years, many researchers have been looking for biological mechanisms behind this kind of transgenerational “cycle of trauma.” Not everyone, though, agrees that trauma can be inherited.

Questions for EMDR?

The idea that trauma affects can be passed on has huge implications.  For instance, could the existence of conflicts in many parts of the world that appear to continue from one generation to another for hundreds of years, be influenced by this?  

What effect would EMDR therapy have on inherited trauma, assuming this concept proves to be true?  

How should it affect our practice as therapists?  Even though unproven at this point, should we be talking about it with families where domestic violence and male trauma are evident.