Serotonin transporter gene promoter methylation in peripheral cells in healthy adults: Neural correlates and tissue specificity

Early adversity can influence gene expression via epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation. Peripheral tissues are essential in psychiatric epigenetics, as methylation generally cannot be assessed in the living human brain. Several magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies show associations of peripheral serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) methylation with function and/or structure of frontal-limbic circuits and brain's resting-state. Commonly used samples are derived from blood, saliva or buccal cells.

Source: European Neuropsychopharmacology - July 31, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Elmira Ismaylova, Jessica Di Sante, Moshe Szyf, Zsofia Nemoda, Wei-Jo Yu, Florence B. Pomares, Gustavo Turecki, Gabriella Gobbi, Frank Vitaro, Richard E. Tremblay, Linda Booij Source Type: research