A multi-modal MRI analysis of brain structure and function in relation to OXT methylation in maltreated children and adolescents.

ABSTRACT: Child maltreatment dysregulates the brain's oxytocinergic system, resulting in dysfunctional attachment patterns. However, how the oxytocinergic system in children who are maltreated (CM) is epigenetically affected remains unknown. We assessed differences in salivary DNA methylation of the gene encoding oxytocin (OXT) between CM (n = 24) and non-CM (n = 31), alongside its impact on brain structures and functions using multi-modal brain imaging (voxel-based morphometry, diffusion tensor imaging, and task and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging). We found that CM showed higher promoter methylation than non-CM, and nine CpG sites were observed to be correlated with each other and grouped into one index (OXTmi). OXTmi was significantly negatively correlated with gray matter vol

SUBMITTER: Nishitani S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8599663 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature