Monozygotic twins affected with major depressive disorder have greater variance in methylation than their unaffected co-twin.

ABSTRACT: Our understanding of major depressive disorder (MDD) has focused on the influence of genetic variation and environmental risk factors. Growing evidence suggests the additional role of epigenetic mechanisms influencing susceptibility for complex traits. DNA sequence within discordant monozygotic twin (MZT) pairs is virtually identical; thus, they represent a powerful design for studying the contribution of epigenetic factors to disease liability. The aim of this study was to investigate whether specific methylation profiles in white blood cells could contribute to the aetiology of MDD. Participants were drawn from the Queensland Twin Registry and comprised 12 MZT pairs discordant for MDD and 12 MZT pairs concordant for no MDD and low neuroticism. Bisulphite treatment and genome-wide interro

SUBMITTER: Byrne EM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3693404 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature