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RCCX Genetic Module Theory
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==Stress vulnerability== Meglathery believes these genes, particularly C4 and CYP21A2, sit in the most highly mutagenic part of the genome because mutations of these genes provide novel ways of responding to ever-changing environments in terms of response to pathogens/brain wiring for C4 and stress response/brain wiring for CYP21A2. She posits that only one copy of a CYP21A2 mutation is necessary to create a stress vulnerability in its recipient. This vulnerability can have catastrophic consequences in settings of severe acute or chronic/prolonged stress, resulting in medical and/or psychiatric illness. she believes this is an evolutionarily programmed response to very high stress, resulting in decreased procreation and ultimately, the removal of the mutation from the gene pool. There are two reasons for this stress vulnerability, according to Meglathery. There is CYP21A2-induced low basal and spiking cortisol in utero and infancy, leading to a brain "wired for danger" which then develops full [[PTSD]]-like wiring as stress continues. Under prolonged stress, the body can no longer make adequate 21-hydroxylase which then initiates inflammatory cascades/mast cell activation with or without the addition of the C4 mutation (which adds autoimmune disease and increases the severity of the inflammatory response). Therefore, a child carrying a CYP21A2 mutation has the same brain as a child raised in adverse circumstances, with enlarged [[limbic]] structures ([[amygdala]]), wired-in [[dysautonomia]] and primed connections in the limbic and neuroendocrine systems. However, there are some benefits with a constant state of increased threat detection and enhanced stress response, such as: enhanced empathy, sensory sensitivity, superior pattern recognition/information processing, times of intense hyperfocus/obsession/flow and unusual abilities (in music, arts or abstract thinking). With any stress (even minimal trauma), the threat response circuits are reinforced and [[epigenetic]] changes can further strengthen these connections, creating PTSD-like wiring and reactions. These stress-induced/primed circuits in the [[brainstem]] and limbic system can be associated with the emergence of bursts of emotional dysregulation, dysautonomia, motor and sensory syndromes (hallucinations, dystonia, catatonia, cataplexy, non-dermatomal sensory symptoms, non-epileptic seizures, etc.) and inappropriate states of consciousness (fight/flight, freeze, shutdown), all of which Meglathery observed clinically. This corresponds with findings of the landmark Adverse Childhood Experiences study<ref name="Anda-ACE" />, linking childhood [[Trauma|adverse events]] with adult chronic illness, medical and psychiatric.
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