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Epigenetic Alterations and Prenatal Maternal Depression.

Zsofia Nemoda1,2, Moshe Szyf1,3

  • 1Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Birth Defects Research
|July 18, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Prenatal maternal depression can alter offspring DNA methylation, impacting long-term health. These epigenetic changes, detectable at birth, highlight the influence of the in utero environment on development.

Keywords:
DNA methylationepigeneticsglucocorticoid receptormajor depressionmaternal stress

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Maternal depression during pregnancy affects 6-17% of pregnancies globally.
  • Associated with adverse outcomes like preterm birth and childhood mental health issues.
  • Epigenetic mechanisms, particularly DNA methylation, are proposed mediators of developmental programming effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of prenatal maternal depression on offspring DNA methylation.
  • To explore the potential for these epigenetic modifications to mediate long-term effects on child development.
  • To review evidence from human and animal studies on DNA methylation changes linked to maternal depression.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of DNA methylation in candidate gene regions (glucocorticoid receptor, serotonin transporter) in human samples (cord blood, saliva, peripheral blood).
  • Epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) in blood cells to identify broader methylation changes.
  • Review of studies using animal models and human brain tissue.

Main Results:

  • DNA methylation changes in specific gene promoters (e.g., glucocorticoid receptor, serotonin transporter) associated with maternal depression.
  • EWAS revealed modest but significant methylation changes in immune-related genes, primarily in enhancers.
  • Limited studies on brain tissue showed overlap in differentially methylated genes.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal maternal depression can induce covalent DNA modifications in offspring.
  • These epigenetic changes are detectable at birth in leukocytes and may exist in other tissues.
  • Supports the hypothesis that system-wide epigenetic changes mediate lifelong responses to the prenatal psychosocial environment.