Epigenesis To Cognitive Development Case Study
Running Head: EPIGENESIS TO COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT 1
Epigenesis to Cognitive Development
EPIGENESIS TO COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT 2
Epigenesis to Cognitive Development Case Study
Epigenesis is defined as the set of processes by which environmental factors outside of hereditary material itself can influence how hereditary materials functions (Broderick & Blewitt, 2014). Cells specialize because chromosomal material is influenced by the environment surrounding the cell. Something in each cell’s environment must interact with hereditary material to direct the cell’s developmental outcome, making specialization possible. Chemicals in the cytoplasm move beyond a cell to influence adjacent cells and ultimately to influence …show more content…
behavior in the outside environment (Gottlieb, 2003).One particular epigenetic change that will be focused on is demethylation. Demethylation can be defined as an epigenetic change that makes the expression of a gene more likely and involves the removal of a methyl group from a coded gene or from regulatory DNA or the removal of a methyl group from histones that bind with DNA (Broderick & Blewitt, 2014).
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an auto-immune condition in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system, leading to demyelination.
According to “The Causes and Treatment of Progressive Paralytic Diseases of the Nervous System,” MS affects the areas of the brain and spinal cord known as the white matter, destroying a fatty layer called the myelin sheath, which wraps around nerve fibers and electrically insulates them. When myelin is lost, the axons of neurons can no longer effectively conduct action potentials. Although much is known about the mechanisms involved in the disease process, the cause remains unknown; however, there are links to genetics and environmental factors (Bhargava, …show more content…
2013).
Jennifer, a thirty-seven year old white woman, has been married to thirty-six year old Chinese man, Jianshe Li, for ten years. Jennifer works for a medium sized law firm as an
EPIGENESIS TO COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT 3 associate and Jianshe is a software developer for a large company based in a Midwestern city. They own a home in a newly developed suburb outside the city. Jennifer was adopted and has close ties with her adopted parents and has no interest in finding out about her biological parents.
Jianshe’s parents, his two brothers and his sister live on the West Coast. The couple is active in the local community and enjoys spending time with friends, hiking, and camping in their free time. Jennifer has been undergoing fertility treatment for the past three years and for the last year has been experiencing possible side effects of dizziness and dimmed vision from treatment. Her physician changed the treatment protocol and to the couple’s delight became pregnant with their first child. Unfortunately, her symptoms worsened and she developed mild tremors in her arms and legs. After meeting with a specialist, she was diagnosed with a progressive disease of the central nervous system that is suspected to have a genetic link marked by an unpredictable course. This is devastating news to the couple who have already experienced emotional stress of trying to become pregnant. They are very concerned with the risk of pregnancy to Jennifer’s health and the risk of transmitting the disease to the
child.
Some of the potential issues to discuss with the Li’s are the risks associated with the pregnancy to Jennifer’s health, the health of the baby, the possibility that she may miscarriage or need to consider terminating the pregnancy for the sake of her health, the risk of transmitting the disease to the child, and problems properly diagnosing the disease, effects, and possibility if the child will be born with the disease due to the fact that she was adopted and has no knowledge of her family background or genetics. Will she have to, against her desire, research and potentially contact her biological family due to this disease? Are they prepared for this, if it is a possibility? Other issues to be discussed with the couple would be the strength of their relationship to help them stay strong and stable in dealing with the pregnancy and disease. Also, to be identified is if
EPIGENESIS TO COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT 4 the couple associates with any religion or religious groups and try to understand if there are any cultural practices, as sensitivity to Jianshe’s Chinese background, to better assist the couple. This reader will need to work with Jennifer’s physician and specialist as this helper is not a trained, licensed medical doctor. After doing some research on possible genetic central nervous system diseases with her described symptoms of dizziness, dimmed vision, and tremors, this genetic counselor found that she may be suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Possible problems faced by the couple are coping with the unknown with Jennifer’s health and risk to the baby, if the baby will be carried to term, and effects on the relationship. Fertility treatment has already caused emotional and financial stress to the couple. They may be faced with coping with a miscarriage or even considering an abortion to deciding if they want to adopt. According to WebMD, women with MS are able to have healthy pregnancies. The Li’s and this helper should discuss with her physician and specialists any current medications taken and ensure healthy nutrition. The Li’s should consider additional supports groups within their community that they are currently involved with. They have strong ties to their immediate families and friends for additional support. Focus in therapy should be on stress management to help the couple maintain a positive physical, emotional, and spiritual view.
As a genetic counselor, this reader will offer support and empathy during treatment. A chronic illness is a significant issue that greatly impacts a person 's life and marriage. Managing her medical issues, maintaining a healthy marriage, and finding a meaningful, manageable quality of life will be focuses in the therapy sessions. Collectively, the Li’s and this helper will set realistic goals and address the feelings of fear, sadness and anxiety in dealing with her disease. It is extremely important for their friends and family to be a solid, reliable support system.
EPIGENISIS TO COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT 5
References
Bhargava, H. (Ed.). (2013, October 30). Multiple Sclerosis and Pregnancy: Risks,
Complications, and More. Retrieved October 21, 2014, from http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/guide/ms-tips-pregnancy Broderick, P., & Blewitt, P. (2014). Organizing Themes in Development. In The Life Span
Human Development for Helping Professionals With Video-enhanced Pearson Etext
Access Card Package. (Fourth ed., Vol. Eleven, pp. 43,73). Pearson College
Gottlie, G. (2003). Probabilistic epigensis of development. In J. Valsiner & K.J. Connolly (Eds.),
Handbook of developmental psychology (pp. 3-17). London: Sage.
Serani, D. (2009, February 23). Interview with Doctor Deb, Psychologist. Retrieved October 21,
2014, from http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73302/59521/doctor
The Causes and Treatment of Progressive Paralytic Diseases of the Nervous System. (n.d.).
Retrieved October 21, 2014, from http://www.regenerativenutrition.com/content.asp?id=515
Epigenesis to Cognitive Development
EPIGENESIS TO COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT 2
Epigenesis to Cognitive Development Case Study
Epigenesis is defined as the set of processes by which environmental factors outside of hereditary material itself can influence how hereditary materials functions (Broderick & Blewitt, 2014). Cells specialize because chromosomal material is influenced by the environment surrounding the cell. Something in each cell’s environment must interact with hereditary material to direct the cell’s developmental outcome, making specialization possible. Chemicals in the cytoplasm move beyond a cell to influence adjacent cells and ultimately to influence …show more content…
behavior in the outside environment (Gottlieb, 2003).One particular epigenetic change that will be focused on is demethylation. Demethylation can be defined as an epigenetic change that makes the expression of a gene more likely and involves the removal of a methyl group from a coded gene or from regulatory DNA or the removal of a methyl group from histones that bind with DNA (Broderick & Blewitt, 2014).
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an auto-immune condition in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system, leading to demyelination.
According to “The Causes and Treatment of Progressive Paralytic Diseases of the Nervous System,” MS affects the areas of the brain and spinal cord known as the white matter, destroying a fatty layer called the myelin sheath, which wraps around nerve fibers and electrically insulates them. When myelin is lost, the axons of neurons can no longer effectively conduct action potentials. Although much is known about the mechanisms involved in the disease process, the cause remains unknown; however, there are links to genetics and environmental factors (Bhargava, …show more content…
2013).
Jennifer, a thirty-seven year old white woman, has been married to thirty-six year old Chinese man, Jianshe Li, for ten years. Jennifer works for a medium sized law firm as an
EPIGENESIS TO COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT 3 associate and Jianshe is a software developer for a large company based in a Midwestern city. They own a home in a newly developed suburb outside the city. Jennifer was adopted and has close ties with her adopted parents and has no interest in finding out about her biological parents.
Jianshe’s parents, his two brothers and his sister live on the West Coast. The couple is active in the local community and enjoys spending time with friends, hiking, and camping in their free time. Jennifer has been undergoing fertility treatment for the past three years and for the last year has been experiencing possible side effects of dizziness and dimmed vision from treatment. Her physician changed the treatment protocol and to the couple’s delight became pregnant with their first child. Unfortunately, her symptoms worsened and she developed mild tremors in her arms and legs. After meeting with a specialist, she was diagnosed with a progressive disease of the central nervous system that is suspected to have a genetic link marked by an unpredictable course. This is devastating news to the couple who have already experienced emotional stress of trying to become pregnant. They are very concerned with the risk of pregnancy to Jennifer’s health and the risk of transmitting the disease to the
child.
Some of the potential issues to discuss with the Li’s are the risks associated with the pregnancy to Jennifer’s health, the health of the baby, the possibility that she may miscarriage or need to consider terminating the pregnancy for the sake of her health, the risk of transmitting the disease to the child, and problems properly diagnosing the disease, effects, and possibility if the child will be born with the disease due to the fact that she was adopted and has no knowledge of her family background or genetics. Will she have to, against her desire, research and potentially contact her biological family due to this disease? Are they prepared for this, if it is a possibility? Other issues to be discussed with the couple would be the strength of their relationship to help them stay strong and stable in dealing with the pregnancy and disease. Also, to be identified is if
EPIGENESIS TO COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT 4 the couple associates with any religion or religious groups and try to understand if there are any cultural practices, as sensitivity to Jianshe’s Chinese background, to better assist the couple. This reader will need to work with Jennifer’s physician and specialist as this helper is not a trained, licensed medical doctor. After doing some research on possible genetic central nervous system diseases with her described symptoms of dizziness, dimmed vision, and tremors, this genetic counselor found that she may be suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Possible problems faced by the couple are coping with the unknown with Jennifer’s health and risk to the baby, if the baby will be carried to term, and effects on the relationship. Fertility treatment has already caused emotional and financial stress to the couple. They may be faced with coping with a miscarriage or even considering an abortion to deciding if they want to adopt. According to WebMD, women with MS are able to have healthy pregnancies. The Li’s and this helper should discuss with her physician and specialists any current medications taken and ensure healthy nutrition. The Li’s should consider additional supports groups within their community that they are currently involved with. They have strong ties to their immediate families and friends for additional support. Focus in therapy should be on stress management to help the couple maintain a positive physical, emotional, and spiritual view.
As a genetic counselor, this reader will offer support and empathy during treatment. A chronic illness is a significant issue that greatly impacts a person 's life and marriage. Managing her medical issues, maintaining a healthy marriage, and finding a meaningful, manageable quality of life will be focuses in the therapy sessions. Collectively, the Li’s and this helper will set realistic goals and address the feelings of fear, sadness and anxiety in dealing with her disease. It is extremely important for their friends and family to be a solid, reliable support system.
EPIGENISIS TO COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT 5
References
Bhargava, H. (Ed.). (2013, October 30). Multiple Sclerosis and Pregnancy: Risks,
Complications, and More. Retrieved October 21, 2014, from http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/guide/ms-tips-pregnancy Broderick, P., & Blewitt, P. (2014). Organizing Themes in Development. In The Life Span
Human Development for Helping Professionals With Video-enhanced Pearson Etext
Access Card Package. (Fourth ed., Vol. Eleven, pp. 43,73). Pearson College
Gottlie, G. (2003). Probabilistic epigensis of development. In J. Valsiner & K.J. Connolly (Eds.),
Handbook of developmental psychology (pp. 3-17). London: Sage.
Serani, D. (2009, February 23). Interview with Doctor Deb, Psychologist. Retrieved October 21,
2014, from http://www.healthcentral.com/multiple-sclerosis/c/73302/59521/doctor
The Causes and Treatment of Progressive Paralytic Diseases of the Nervous System. (n.d.).
Retrieved October 21, 2014, from http://www.regenerativenutrition.com/content.asp?id=515