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Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Optimized Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression from Small, Anatomically-defined Areas of the Brain
Published on: July 12, 2012
[Programming of the adult psychoneuroendocrine qualities by gene expression early-life]
Abstract:
Ontogeny of the mechanisms of physiological functions and behavior are adjusted --"programmed" during early development to match predicted conditions of future life environment. The discrepancies between anticipated and actual environmental conditions provoke endocrine, cardiovascular, metabolic and psychiatric pathologies. Alterations in gene expression and of subsequent regulation of the gene activities, as well as morphogenetic abnormalities due to changes in cell migration and apoptosis could be the mechanisms of this phenomenon. Inhibition of a targeted-gene expression by short interfering RNA in the developing mammalian brain in vivo have revealed programming of the adult animal psychophysiological qualities by the neurogene during critical period of the brain development. Mechanism of early-life programming evidently has adaptive evolutionary-genetic basis and is capable of transmitting effects of adverse treatments endued by ancestors to subsequent generations.
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