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New study suggests ketamine may be an effective treatment for children with ADNP syndrome

A new study suggests that low-dose ketamine is generally safe and effective in treating clinical symptoms of children diagnosed with ADNP syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder. The treatment resulted in improvements in social behavior, attention deficit, and hyperactivity, as well as reduced aggression.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalHuman Genetics and Genomics Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2022

NUS researchers discover potential intergenerational impacts of physical activity and nutrition on placental methylation and fetal growth

Research by NUS led by Professor Zhang Cuilin found that maternal physical activity before pregnancy is associated with placental DNA methylation patterns affecting fetal growth. Additionally, optimal fatty acid intake in early pregnancy optimizes fetal growth throughout pregnancy.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 31, 2022

Hibernation slows biological aging in bats

A study led by UMD researchers found that hibernating big brown bats experience slower epigenetic aging, with their biological clock extending by nearly a year. The study established the link between hibernation and longer lifespans in small mammals.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateAug 9, 2022

Researchers find epigenetic changes during pregnancy may contribute to the development of asthma

A new study by University of Chicago researchers found epigenetic differences in airway cells of patients with asthma who have asthmatic mothers, contributing to the development of severe asthma. The findings suggest that impaired immune responses may be an underlying cause of lack of therapeutic response to corticosteroids.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2022

Team uses MRI to image epigenetics in the brain

A multidisciplinary team at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has devised a new approach to 3D imaging that captures DNA methylation, a key epigenetic change associated with learning in the brain. The technique uses standard MRI technology and biological markers already in use in human medicine.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 28, 2022

Traditional Chinese medicine, Shengmai Yin, improves the effects of radiation therapy, says new study in Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis

A new study found that traditional Chinese medicine Shengmai Yin increases the sensitivity of cancer cells to radiation, reducing radioresistance. By altering DNA methylation status, SMY enhances the efficacy of radiation therapy and reduces side effects.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2022

Microglial methylation “landscape” in human brain

A new study reveals distinct DNA methylation profiles of human microglia cells across different age groups, disease states, and brain regions. The researchers found that interindividual differences in methylation variability had a larger impact than regional or diagnostic differences.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 28, 2021

How to turn specific genes on and off

Researchers at McGill University developed a new technique to manipulate DNA methylation levels at specific genes using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. This approach enables targeted demethylation of genes associated with diseases, such as insulin gene dysregulation in diabetes.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 9, 2021

Study finds genetic markers may predict severity of COVID-19 infection

Scientists at the University of Colorado School of Medicine have identified specific genetic biomarkers in blood samples that can indicate the severity of COVID-19. The study's findings suggest that these signals can be used to monitor SARS-CoV-2 status and predict clinical outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 26, 2021

Smoking during pregnancy may impact fetal growth through changes in placental gene expression

A new study found that maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with changes in placental DNA methylation and poor birth outcomes. The research suggests that these epigenetic changes may affect fetal growth by altering the expression of genes involved in environmental responses, growth, and inflammation.

SourceBarcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)·JournalNature Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateSep 9, 2021

Teaching an old dog new tricks: An existing drug opens new possibilities for treating child leukemia

A study from Linköping University found that the tumour-inhibiting gene TET2 is silenced in most cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children. The gene can be reactivated by treatment with an existing drug, 5-azacytidine, suggesting a targeted therapy for ALL in children.

SourceLinköping University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 24, 2021

A new way to treat PTSD?

Researchers discovered a new way to treat PTSD by targeting epigenetic modifications. Combining two natural products, SAMe and vitamin A, reversed PTSD-like behaviors in animals. This approach offers hope for a non-toxic treatment that addresses the underlying genetic cause of the disease.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateAug 4, 2021

Exposure to lead can cause epigenetic changes even at relatively low levels

Researchers found that even low levels of lead exposure can cause epigenetic changes, including a decrease in DNA methylation, which may precede cellular disorders. The study suggests that these changes could be an early warning sign of potential health problems, highlighting the need for better public policy to minimize lead exposure.

Most differences in DNA binding compounds found at birth in children conceived by IVF not seen in early childhood, NIH study finds

A NIH study found that newborns conceived through IVF had certain chemical modifications to their DNA, but these changes were not seen in early childhood. The study also found no differences in growth and development for this group.

Accelerated cellular aging associated with mortality seen in depressed individuals

A study found that cells from people with major depressive disorder (MDD) have accelerated DNA methylation clocks, indicating an increased risk of mortality. The researchers discovered that these changes persisted even after accounting for lifestyle factors, suggesting a potential biological mechanism underlying the condition.

SourceWalter Reed Army Institute of Research·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateApr 8, 2021

Epigenetic mechanisms allow native Peruvians to thrive at high altitudes

A study reveals that epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, play a key role in the adaptation of native Peruvians to high altitudes. The findings show that early developmental exposures can have persistent impacts on DNA methylation patterns, leading to improved lung volumes and reduced susceptibility to idiopathic pulmonary f...