Cataloging recent advances in epigenetic alterations in major mental disorders and autism

Epigenomics. 2021 Aug;13(15):1231-1245. doi: 10.2217/epi-2021-0074. Epub 2021 Jul 28.

Abstract

During the last two decades, diverse epigenetic modifications including DNA methylation, histone modifications, RNA editing and miRNA dysregulation have been associated with psychiatric disorders. A few years ago, in a review we outlined the most common epigenetic alterations in major psychiatric disorders (e.g., aberrant DNA methylation of DTNBP1, HTR2A, RELN, MB-COMT and PPP3CC, and increased expression of miR-34a and miR-181b). Recent follow-up studies have uncovered other DNA methylation aberrations affecting several genes in mental disorders, in addition to dysregulation of many miRNAs. Here, we provide an update on new epigenetic findings and highlight potential origin of the diversity and inconsistencies, focusing on drug effects, tissue/cell specificity of epigenetic landscape and discuss shortcomings of the current diagnostic criteria in mental disorders.

Keywords: DTNBP1; HTR2A; HTR4; LINE-1; MB-COMT; RELN; miR-137; miR-181b; miR-34a; miR-451a.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Autistic Disorder / diagnosis
  • Autistic Disorder / drug therapy
  • Autistic Disorder / etiology*
  • Biomarkers
  • DNA Methylation
  • Disease Susceptibility*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis
  • Mental Disorders / drug therapy
  • Mental Disorders / etiology*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Phenotype
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • MicroRNAs