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Epigenetic associations with adolescent grey matter maturation and cognitive development
Dawn Jensen1,2, Jiayu Chen1,3, Jessica A Turner1,4
1Tri-Institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS), Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.
Frontiers in Genetics
|August 2, 2023
Summary
DNA methylation changes in adolescent brain genes correlate with cognitive improvements and structural brain development. This study links epigenetic modifications to key neurodevelopmental changes during this critical life stage.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical period for neurodevelopment and cognitive enhancement.
- Gene expression, regulated by DNA methylation (DNAm), influences brain reorganization.
- Understanding DNAm's role in adolescent brain development is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between DNA methylation patterns and brain structure changes.
- To explore the association between DNAm and cognitive performance improvements during adolescence.
- To examine specific genes involved in brain maturation and their epigenetic regulation.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of ~200 participants (ages 9-14) with brain imaging, cognitive tests, and DNAm data.
- Analysis of seven CpG sites in key brain-expressed genes.
- Correlated DNAm changes with grey matter volume changes and cognitive scores over three time points.
Main Results:
- Demethylation and changing rates of DNAm were significantly linked to cognitive score improvements.
- DNAm changes correlated with improvements in executive function, memory, and processing speed.
- Observed relationships between DNAm and grey matter volume changes reflecting brain maturation.
Conclusions:
- This study offers novel insights into DNA methylation's role in adolescent neurodevelopment.
- DNAm of genes related to myelination, receptors, and connectivity impacts brain structure and cognition.
- Epigenetic mechanisms are integral to large-scale brain and cognitive changes during adolescence.
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