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Updated: Jun 7, 2025

Optimized Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression from Small, Anatomically-defined Areas of the Brain
Published on: July 12, 2012
Prenatal chemical exposures and the methylome: current evidence and opportunities for environmental epigenetics
Anne K Bozack1, Leonardo Trasande2
1Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
Abstract:
Exposure to pollutants and chemicals during critical developmental periods in early life can impact health and disease risk across the life course. Research in environmental epigenetics has provided increasing evidence that prenatal exposures affect epigenetic markers, particularly DNA methylation. In this article, we discuss the role of DNA methylation in early life programming and review evidence linking the intrauterine environment to epigenetic modifications, with a focus on exposure to tobacco smoke, metals, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. We also discuss challenges and novel approaches in environmental epigenetic research and explore the potential of epigenetic biomarkers in studies of pediatric populations as indicators of exposure and disease risk. Overall, we aim to highlight how advancements in environmental epigenetics may transform our understanding of early-life exposures and inform new approaches for supporting long-term health.
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