biostudies-literatureHaghani VNICHD NIH HHS1699376https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12777089biostudies-literatureUnknown12<h4>Introduction</h4>Folate is crucial for various biological processes, and deficiencies during pregnancy are linked to increased risk for neural tube defects and neurodevelopmental disorders. As a proactive measure, folic acid fortification of staple foods has been mandated in many countries, in addition to dietary supplementation recommendations during pregnancy. However, the risks of excess prenatal folic acid supply have yet to be fully understood.<h4>Methods</h4>To better appreciate molecular changes in mouse brain exposed to <i>in utero</i> 5-fold folic acid excess over normal intake, we investigated the transcriptome and methylome for alterations in gene networks.<h4>Results</h4>RNA-seq analysis of cerebral cortex collected at birth, revealed significant expression differences in 6Frontiers in nutritionExcess prenatal folic acid supplementation alters cortical DNA methylation and gene expression networks.PMC12777089R01 HD107489Ali SMGreen RLaSalle JMZarbalis KSCannizzaro NHaghani VfalseExcess prenatal folic acid supplementation alters cortical DNA methylation and gene expression networks.<h4>Introduction</h4>Folate is crucial for various biological processes, and deficiencies during pregnancy are linked to increased risk for neural tube defects and neurodevelopmental disorders. As a proactive measure, folic acid fortification of staple foods has been mandated in many countries, in addition to dietary supplementation recommendations during pregnancy. However, the risks of excess prenatal folic acid supply have yet to be fully understood.<h4>Methods</h4>To better appreciate molecular changes in mouse brain exposed to <i>in utero</i> 5-fold folic acid excess over normal intake, we investigated the transcriptome and methylome for alterations in gene networks.<h4>Results</h4>RNA-seq analysis of cerebral cortex collected at birth, revealed significant expression differences in 62025-01-01T00:00:00Z20252026-05-30T03:12:25.708Z2026-05-30T03:07:43.062ZS-EPMC127770894150954110.3389/fnut.2025.1699376