Research Square (Research Square),
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: April 19, 2024
Epigenetic
processes,
including
DNA
methylation,
are
emerging
as
key
areas
of
interest
for
their
potential
roles
biomarkers
and
contributors
to
the
risk
neurodevelopmental,
psychiatric,
other
brain-based
disorders.
Despite
this
growing
focus,
there
remains
a
notable
gap
in
our
understanding
how
methylation
correlates
with
individual
variations
brain
function
structure.
Additionally,
dynamics
these
relationships
during
developmental
periods,
which
critical
windows
many
disorders
first
appear,
still
largely
unexplored.
The
current
study
extends
field
by
examining
if
peripheral
myelination-related
genes
predicts
white
matter
volume
healthy
pediatric
population
[N
=
250;
females
113;
age
range
2
months-14
years;
medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory),
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: June 25, 2024
Abstract
Epigenetic
processes,
such
as
DNA
methylation,
show
potential
biological
markers
and
mechanisms
underlying
gene-environment
interplay
in
the
prediction
of
mental
health
other
brain-based
phenotypes.
However,
little
is
known
about
how
peripheral
epigenetic
patterns
relate
to
individual
differences
brain
itself.
An
increasingly
popular
approach
address
this
by
combining
neuroimaging
data;
yet,
research
area
almost
entirely
comprised
cross-sectional
studies
adults.
To
bridge
gap,
we
established
Methylation,
Imaging
NeuroDevelopment
(MIND)
Consortium,
which
aims
bring
a
developmental
focus
emerging
field
Neuroimaging
Epigenetics
(i)
promoting
collaborative,
adequately
powered
via
multi-cohort
analyses;
(ii)
increasing
scientific
rigor
through
establishment
shared
pipelines
open
science
practices;
(iii)
advancing
our
understanding
methylation-brain
dynamics
at
different
periods
(from
birth
adulthood),
leveraging
data
from
prospective,
longitudinal
pediatric
studies.
MIND
currently
integrates
15
cohorts
worldwide,
comprising
(repeated)
measures
methylation
tissues
(blood,
buccal
cells,
saliva)
magnetic
resonance
imaging
across
up
five
time
points
over
period
21
years
(N
pooled
DNAm
=
11,299;
N
10,133;
combined
4,914).
By
triangulating
associations
multiple
study
types,
hope
generate
new
insights
into
dynamic
relationships
between
brain,
these
ultimately
neurodevelopmental
psychiatric
Stress
is
a
state
of
threatened
or
perceived
as
homeostasis
that
can
be
induced
by
various
external
and
internal
stimuli
such
psychosocial
factors,
inflammatory
injurious
conditions,
infections.
In
order
to
restore
body
homeostasis,
adrenal
glands
produce
secrete
glucocorticoids
(GCs)
catecholamines
(CAs),
which
are
the
main
stress
hormones
support
survival
adaptation
organisms
new
environment.
contrast
rather
beneficial
impact
acute
short-lasting
stress,
chronic
related
dysregulation
system
implicated
in
development
many
non-communicable
diseases,
including
cancer.
Particularly,
ever-increasing
experimental
clinical
evidence
implicates
involvement
CAs
GCs
well
overexpression
their
receptors
activation
major
pathways
involved
tumour
development,
metastasis,
resistance
therapies.
More
importantly,
results
epidemiological
studies
revealed
overexposure
during
pre-
early
postnatal
life
might
induce
life-long
even
transgenerational
predispose
it
tumours.
Although
exact
mechanisms
latter
process
not
yet
fully
known,
has
been
demonstrated
GC-induced
epigenetic
modifications
change
expression
several
key
genes
regulation
system,
initiation,
imprinting.
When
alterations
occur
stem/progenitor
cells
(SPCs),
this
only
lead
long-term
dysfunction
but
promote
generation
cancer
stem
(CSCs).
This
review
article
discusses
hypothesis
hormones-mediated
reprograming
SPCs
sensitive
developmental
periods,
contribute
increased
sensitivity
malignant
transformation,
thereby
promoting
tumorigenesis.
