Abstract
DNA methylation provides an attractive possible means for propagating the effects
of environmental inputs during fetal life and impacting subsequent adult mental
health, which is leading to increasing collaboration between molecular biologists,
nutritionists and psychiatrists. An area of interest is the potential role of folate, not just in neural tube closure in early pregnancy, but in later major eurodevelopmental events, with consequences for later sociocognitive maturation. Here, we set the scene for recent discoveries by reviewing the major events of neural development during fetal life, with an emphasis on tissues and structures where dynamic methylation changes are known to occur. Following this, we give an indication of some of the major classes of genes targeted by methylation and important for neurological and behavioral development. Finally, we highlight some cognitive disorders where methylation changes are implicated as playing an important role.
of environmental inputs during fetal life and impacting subsequent adult mental
health, which is leading to increasing collaboration between molecular biologists,
nutritionists and psychiatrists. An area of interest is the potential role of folate, not just in neural tube closure in early pregnancy, but in later major eurodevelopmental events, with consequences for later sociocognitive maturation. Here, we set the scene for recent discoveries by reviewing the major events of neural development during fetal life, with an emphasis on tissues and structures where dynamic methylation changes are known to occur. Following this, we give an indication of some of the major classes of genes targeted by methylation and important for neurological and behavioral development. Finally, we highlight some cognitive disorders where methylation changes are implicated as playing an important role.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 863-879 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Epigenomics |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - 20 Jun 2016 |
Keywords
- 5-hydroxymethylation
- Barker hypothesis
- DNMT1
- DNMT3A
- homocysteine
- MeCP2
- TET
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'The interplay between DNA methylation, folate and neurocognitive development'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Profiles
-
Tony Cassidy
- Faculty Of Life & Health Sciences - Professor of Child and Family Health Psychology, Full Professor
Person: Academic
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Marian McLaughlin
- School of Psychology - Senior Lecturer
- Faculty Of Life & Health Sciences - Senior Lecturer
Person: Academic