Sex-specific DNA methylation signatures of autism spectrum disorder from whole genome bisulfite sequencing of newborn blood.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental conditions currently diagnosed through behavioral assessments in childhood, though neuropathological changes begin in utero. ASD is more commonly diagnosed in males, a disparity attributed to both biological sex differences and diagnostic biases. Identifying molecular biomarkers, such as DNA methylation signatures, could provide more objective screening for ASD-risk in newborns, allowing for early intervention. Epigenetic dysregulation has been reported in multiple tissues from newborns who are later diagnosed with ASD, but this is the first study to investigate sex-specific DNA methylation signatures for ASD in newborn blood, an accessible and widely banked tissue.

Methods

We assayed DNA methylation

SUBMITTER: Mouat JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12042393 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature