Neonatal Methylation and Social-Emotional Development at 6 and 18 Months of Age

Overview

Journal Front Behav Neurosci

Specialty Psychology

Date 2019 Feb 27

PMID 30804765

Citations 8

Authors

Alonzo T Folger

Lili Ding

Hong Ji

Kimberly Yolton

Robert T Ammerman

Judith B Van Ginkel

Katherine Bowers

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The variation in childhood social-emotional development within at-risk populations may be attributed in part to epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation (DNAm) that respond to environmental stressors. These mechanisms may partially underlie the degree of vulnerability (and resilience) to negative social-emotional development within adverse psychosocial environments. Extensive research supports an association between maternal adversity and offspring DNAm of the gene, which encodes the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). A gap in knowledge remains regarding the relationship between DNAm, measured in neonatal (1-month of age) buccal cells, and subsequent social-emotional development during infancy and early childhood. We conducted a longitudinal cohort study of = 53 mother-child dyads ( = 30 with developmental outcomes formed the basis of current study) who were enrolled in a home visiting (HV) program. Higher mean DNAm of the exon 1 promoter was significantly associated with lower 6-month Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social-Emotional (ASQ:SE) scores-more positive infant social-emotional functioning. A similar trend was observed at 18-months of age in a smaller sample ( = 12). The findings of this pilot study indicate that in a diverse and disadvantaged population, the level of neonatal DNAm is related to later social-emotional development. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.

Citing Articles

Association between maternal prenatal depressive symptoms and offspring epigenetic aging at 3-5 weeks.

Folger A, Ding L, Yolton K, Ammerman R, Ji H, Frey J Ann Epidemiol. 2024; 93:1-6.

PMID: 38479709 PMC: 11031304. DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2024.03.001.

Neonatal Methylation and In-Utero Exposure to Maternal Smoking.

Nidey N, Bowers K, Ding L, Ji H, Ammerman R, Yolton K Toxics. 2023; 11(10).

PMID: 37888705 PMC: 10611161. DOI: 10.3390/toxics11100855.

Epigenome-wide association of neonatal methylation and trimester-specific prenatal PM exposure.

Parikh M, Brokamp C, Rasnick E, Ding L, Mersha T, Bowers K Environ Epidemiol. 2022; 6(5):e227.

PMID: 36249271 PMC: 9556110. DOI: 10.1097/EE9.0000000000000227.

Association Between Maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences and Neonatal SCG5 DNA Methylation-Effect Modification by Prenatal Home Visiting.

Folger A, Nidey N, Ding L, Ji H, Yolton K, Ammerman R Am J Epidemiol. 2021; 191(4):636-645.

PMID: 34791022 PMC: 9077120. DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwab270.

Epigenetic Modifications Associated with Maternal Anxiety during Pregnancy and Children's Behavioral Measures.

Cao-Lei L, van den Heuvel M, Huse K, Platzer M, Elgbeili G, Braeken M Cells. 2021; 10(9).

PMID: 34572069 PMC: 8469633. DOI: 10.3390/cells10092421.

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