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Related Concept Videos

Longitudinal Research02:20

Longitudinal Research

Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
Longitudinal Studies01:26

Longitudinal Studies

Longitudinal studies are also widely used in other medical and social science fields. For instance, in cardiovascular research, they can monitor patients' health over decades to identify risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or smoking, and evaluate the long-term effectiveness of preventive measures. Similarly, in mental health studies, researchers might follow individuals from adolescence into adulthood to understand the development and progression of conditions like...
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction01:29

Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction

Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Sample Preparation to Bioinformatics Analysis of DNA Methylation: Association Strategy for Obesity and Related Trait Studies
14:56

Sample Preparation to Bioinformatics Analysis of DNA Methylation: Association Strategy for Obesity and Related Trait Studies

Published on: May 6, 2022

Longitudinal Blood DNA Methylation Changes During Weight-Loss Intervention and Dementia Progression Risk.

David Lukacsovich1, Juan I Young2, Lissette Gomez1

  • 1University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Research Square
|June 29, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Weight loss interventions induce DNA methylation (DNAm) changes in blood, impacting genomic maintenance and metabolism. These DNAm patterns may predict dementia progression, linking lifestyle changes to neurological health.

Keywords:
DNA methylationdementiaepigenome-wide association studymetabolic healthweight-loss

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Last Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Sample Preparation to Bioinformatics Analysis of DNA Methylation: Association Strategy for Obesity and Related Trait Studies
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Published on: May 6, 2022

Optimized Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression from Small, Anatomically-defined Areas of the Brain
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Optimized Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression from Small, Anatomically-defined Areas of the Brain

Published on: July 12, 2012

Targeted DNA Methylation Analysis by Next-generation Sequencing
08:38

Targeted DNA Methylation Analysis by Next-generation Sequencing

Published on: February 24, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics and Genomics
  • Metabolic Health and Lifestyle Interventions
  • Neurodegenerative Disease Research

Background:

  • Weight loss improves metabolic health, but its impact on DNA methylation (DNAm) and dementia risk is not fully understood.
  • Lifestyle interventions, including diet and physical activity, are key for metabolic health.
  • Epigenetic modifications like DNAm are potential mediators between lifestyle and disease outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate longitudinal blood DNAm changes during a weight-loss intervention.
  • To assess the relevance of these DNAm changes to dementia progression using an external cohort.
  • To identify specific pathways affected by weight-loss-induced DNAm changes.

Main Methods:

  • Analyzed paired blood DNAm data from 103 participants in the CENTRAL trial (diet-only vs. diet plus physical activity).
  • Used linear mixed-effects models to identify differentially methylated CpGs and regions associated with weight loss.
  • Assessed pathway enrichment and compared findings with cardiometabolic and dementia epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS).
  • Validated findings in 117 Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) participants to predict dementia progression.

Main Results:

  • Identified significant DNAm changes (CpGs and regions) associated with weight loss interventions in both diet-only and diet plus physical activity groups.
  • Enriched pathways included DNA double-strand break response, ATM-mediated phosphorylation, energy metabolism, and insulin secretion.
  • Weight-loss-associated DNAm signals aligned with cardiometabolic, inflammatory, and dementia-related EWAS findings.
  • In ADNI, DNAm changes resembling the reverse of weight-loss profiles predicted dementia progression (HR=1.49, P=0.041).

Conclusions:

  • Weight-loss interventions induce significant blood DNAm changes, particularly in genomic maintenance and metabolic pathways.
  • These weight-loss-responsive DNAm profiles show potential as biomarkers linking metabolic health and dementia risk.
  • Findings highlight the role of epigenetics in mediating the effects of lifestyle interventions on long-term health outcomes, including neurodegeneration.