Intra-individual methylomics detects the impact of early-life adversity.

ABSTRACT: Genetic and environmental factors interact during sensitive periods early in life to influence mental health and disease via epigenetic processes such as DNA methylation. However, it is not known if DNA methylation changes outside the brain provide an "epigenetic signature" of early-life experiences. Here, we used a novel intra-individual approach by testing DNA methylation from buccal cells of individual rats before and immediately after exposure to one week of typical or adverse life experience. We find that whereas inter-individual changes in DNA methylation reflect the effect of age, DNA methylation changes within paired DNA samples from the same individual reflect the impact of diverse neonatal experiences. Genes coding for critical cellular metabolic enzymes, ion channels, and recept

SUBMITTER: Jiang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6445397 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature