Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 4, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Placental epigenetic patterning of glucocorticoid response genes is associated with infant neurodevelopment
Alison G Paquette1, Barry M Lester2, Corina Lesseur1
1Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA.
Aim:
To determine associations between methylation of NR3C1, HSD11B2, FKBP5 and ADCYAP1R1 and newborn neurobehavioral outcomes.
Methods:
In 537 newborns, placental methylation was quantified using bisulfite pyrosequencing. Profiles of neurobehavior were derived via the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scales. Using exploratory factor analysis, the relationships between methylation factor scores and neurobehavioral profiles were examined.
Results:
Increased scores of the factor characterized by NR3C1 methylation were associated with membership in a reactive, poorly regulated profile (odds ratio: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.00-2.18), while increased scores of the factor characterized by HSD11B2 methylation reduced this risk.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that coordinated regulation of these genes influences neurobehavior and demonstrates the importance of examining these alterations in a harmonized fashion.
Related Concept Videos
02:30Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
01:07Teratogenicity