Methylomic analysis of monozygotic twins discordant for autism spectrum disorder and related behavioural traits.

ABSTRACT: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) defines a group of common, complex neurodevelopmental disorders. Although the aetiology of ASD has a strong genetic component, there is considerable monozygotic (MZ) twin discordance indicating a role for non-genetic factors. Because MZ twins share an identical DNA sequence, disease-discordant MZ twin pairs provide an ideal model for examining the contribution of environmentally driven epigenetic factors in disease. We performed a genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation in a sample of 50 MZ twin pairs (100 individuals) sampled from a representative population cohort that included twins discordant and concordant for ASD, ASD-associated traits and no autistic phenotype. Within-twin and between-group analyses identified numerous differentially methylated regions

SUBMITTER: Wong CC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3906213 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature