Epigenetic Research in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: the "Tissue Issue".

ABSTRACT:

Purpose of review

Evidence has linked neuropsychiatric disorders with epigenetic marks as either a biomarker of disease, biomarker of exposure, or mechanism of disease processes. Neuropsychiatric epidemiologic studies using either target brain tissue or surrogate blood tissue each have methodological challenges and distinct advantages.

Recent findings

Brain tissue studies are challenged by small sample sizes of cases and controls, incomplete phenotyping, post-mortem timing, and cellular heterogeneity, but the use of a primary disease relevant tissue is critical. Blood-based studies have access to much larger sample sizes and more replication opportunities, as well as the potential for longitudinal measurements, both prior to onset and during the course of treatments. Yet, bl

SUBMITTER: Bakulski KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5235359 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature