DNA methylation and substance use risk

C A M Cecil, Esther Walton, E Viding, E J McCrory, Caroline L Relton, Matthew J Suderman, J-B Pingault, Wendy L McArdle, Tom R Gaunt, J Mill, Edward Barker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Epigenetic processes have been implicated in addiction; yet, it remains unclear whether these represent a risk factor and/or a consequence of substance use. Here, we conducted the first genome-wide, longitudinal study to investigate whether DNA methylation patterns in early life prospectively associate with substance use in adolescence. The sample comprised of 244 youth (51% female) from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), with repeated assessments of DNA methylation (Illumina 450k array; cord blood at birth, whole blood at age 7) and substance use (tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use; age 14-18). We found that, at birth, epigenetic variation across a tightly interconnected genetic network (n = 65 loci; q
Original languageEnglish
Article number3976
JournalTranslational Psychiatry
Volume6
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Dec 2016

Bibliographical note

M1 - e976

Keywords

  • DNA methylation
  • epigenome-wide
  • prenatal exposure
  • tobacco
  • mediation

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