USF College of Public Health professors Drs. Monica Uddin and Derek Wildman are part of a team of researchers examining how the historical trauma experienced by Alaskan Natives can affect the way genes work, demonstrating the impact of traumas that occurred years or even generations before.

Uddin and Wildman are co-authors of the recently published study, “Association between gene methylation and experiences of historical trauma in Alaska Native peoples.” 

The interdisciplinary, interprofessional work was conducted with researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, McGill University, Kenai Peninsula College and several Alaskan Native heritage institutes. The work, funded by the National Science Foundation, appears in the International Journal of Equity in Health.

“The indigenous Alaskans hypothesized that this historical trauma may still be playing a role [in their genetic expression and health],” Wildman said. “Dr. Uddin and I were approached by Dr. Malhi from the University of Illinois because of our research experience with epigenetics and trauma. We were happy to join the study.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Epigenetics is the study of how behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way genes work. Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic changes are reversible and do not change your DNA sequence, but they can change how your body reads a DNA sequence.”

The group gave more than 100 indigenous Alaskans from two different regions in the state surveys about cultural identification, historical loss and trauma (some examples of historical trauma faced by Alaskan Natives have been forced relocation to boarding schools and removal of cultural practices, such as speaking their native languages) and general well-being. They also took blood samples to test for DNA methylation, a chemical modification of DNA that often alters the activity of genes.

What the researchers found was that historical loss and trauma were associated with DNA methylation differences in indigenous Alaskans.

“It is well understood that experienced trauma may have long-lasting effects on health. Epigenetics is one way in which trauma can ‘get under the skin,’” Wildman noted.

Epigenetic changes have been associated with health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer, among others.

The researchers also found that the greater one identified with their heritage and culture, the greater their well-being.

“By reintegrating older cultural practices, folks in Alaska have strengthened community bonds and built resilience to the lasting effects of historical trauma,” Wildman explained. “This study serves as a model for effective collaboration between communities and researchers in the area of public health. We are interested in exploring whether interventions such as fishing ceremonies and other local cultural practices improve the epigenetic landscape and therefore health.”

Story by Donna Campisano, USF College of Public Health