Event Schedule: The live broadcast will take place on January 29, 2025, 1:00 - 2:30pm ET

In the event you are unable to attend the Live Webinar after registering, please reach out to our team at learningcenter@psych.org to obtain access to the recording (free of charge).

Pricing

• APA Members - $25
• Non-Members - $45
• Resident Fellow Members - $25
• Medical Student Members - $0

Emerging Topics Webinar Series

Stay up to date on important topics and trends impacting psychiatry by participating in APA's new Emerging Topics Webinar Series. Presented by specialists across the field, these monthly webinars will explore a range of diverse, pertinent topics and offer a chance to interact with peers and subject matter experts. 

This course will provide an overview of epigenetics and discuss current and developing methodologies with critical attention to the challenges and promises of epigenetic studies. Next this course will describe the current evidence linking epigenetic changes, specifically DNA methylation, epigenetic aging, telomeres and histone modification, and childhood trauma. Lastly this course will discuss future directions of research that is expected to demonstrate mechanisms and provide potential next steps to evaluate the impact of evidence-based interventions on not only behavioral but biological pathways.

Format

Live, interactive webinar

1.5 hours of virtual, synchronous learning.

This activity will consist of a live, online lecture (approximately 75 minutes), a question/answer session or discussion (15 minutes), followed by independent completion of an online survey to claim 1.5 CME credit.

Learning Objectives

• State three epigenetic changes associated with early life adversity
• Describe three key methodological considerations in epigenetic studies of early life trauma
• Identify biological pathways linking early life exposure and later health risks
• Outline overlapping evidence for how trauma, racism and violence are linked to epigenetic changes

References

• Francis M, Lindrose A, O'Connell S, Tristano RI, McGarvey C, Drury S (2023). The interaction of socioeconomic stress and race on telomere length in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Social Science Medicine, Population Health 2023 Jun;22:101380. doi:
• Wade M, Fox NA, Zeanah CH, Nelson C, Drury SS. Telomere Length and Psychopathology: Specificity and Direction of Effects Within the Bucharest Early Intervention Project. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2020 Jan 1; 59(1): 140-148.e3. PubMed PMID: 30844465; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8056885.
• Grasso DJ, Drury SS, Briggs-Gowan M, Johnson A, Ford J, Lapidus G, Scranton V, Abreu C, Covault J. Adverse childhood experiences, posttraumatic stress, and FKBP5 methylation patterns in postpartum women and their newborn infants. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2020 Apr 1; 114: 104604. PubMed PMID: 32109789; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7096279.

Target Audience

Medical students, Residents/Fellows, Psychiatrists, Non-psychiatrist physicians

Estimate Time to Complete

Estimated Duration: 1.5 hours
Program Start Date: January 29, 2025
Program End Date: January 29, 2025

Credit for this webinar must be claimed by April 28, 2025. 

How to Earn Credit

After evaluating the program, participants will be provided with an opportunity to claim hours of participation and print an official CME certificate (physicians) or certificate of participation (non-physicians) showing the event date and hours earned.

Continuing Education Credit

In support of improving patient care, the American Psychiatric Association is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physicians

The APA designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Faculty and Planner Disclosures

The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity — including faculty, planners, reviewers or others — are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

Instructor

• Stacy Drury, Md, PhD.

Planners

• Vishal Madaan, MD, APA Deputy Medical Director, Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests. 

Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities

The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. Please contact the American Psychiatric Association at 202-559-3900, if you require assistance seven (7) business days prior to the start of a live webinar.

Technical Requirements

This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following:

• The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari
• Internet Explorer 11+

This Web site requires that JavaScript and session cookies be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be: Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Windows Media Player.

Optimal System Configuration:

• Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version)
• Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version)
• Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher

Minimum Requirements:

• Windows PC: Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content
• Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher with latest updates installed; Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor; 512 MB or higher RAM; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content

For assistance: Contact educme@psych.org for questions about this activity