Genetic predisposition to high anxiety- and depression-like behavior coincides with diminished DNA methylation in the adult rat amygdala. Rattus norvegicus strain:Sprague Dawley | breed:High/Low Novelty Response

Understanding biological mechanisms that shape vulnerability to emotional dysfunction is critical for elucidating the neurobiology of psychiatric illnesses like anxiety and depression. To elucidate molecularand epigenetic alterations in the brain that contribute to individual differences in emotionality, our laboratory utilized a rodent model of temperamental differences. Rats bred for low response to novelty (Low Responders, LRs) are inhibited in novel situations and display highanxiety, helplessness, and diminished sociability compared to High Novelty Responder (HR) rats. Here, we utilized next-generation sequencing analysis of the methylome to revealthe differentially methylated sites between these lines.