Altered DNA Methylation of the Serotonin Transporter Gene Associated with Early Life Stress and White Matter Microalterations in Korean Patients with Panic Disorder.
Hyun-Ju Kim, Minji Bang, Chun Il Park, Sang-Hyuk Lee
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引用次数: 1
Abstract
Introduction: Changes in the DNA methylation of 5-HTTLPR are associated with the pathophysiology of panic disorder (PD). This study was conducted to investigate the association between stressful life events and the level of 5-HTTLPR methylation in patients with PD. We also examined whether these factors were associated with white matter alterations in psychological trauma-related regions.
Methods: The participants comprised 232 patients with PD and 93 healthy adults of Korean descent. DNA methylation levels of five cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites in the 5-HTTLPR region were analyzed. Voxel-wise statistical analysis of diffusion tensor imaging data was performed within the trauma-related regions.
Results: PD patients showed significantly lower levels of the DNA methylation at 5-HTTLPR 5 CpG sites than healthy controls. In patients with PD, the DNA methylation levels at 5-HTTLPR 5 CpG sites showed significant negative association with the parental separation-related psychological distress, and positive correlations with the fractional anisotropy values of the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) which might be related to trait anxiety.
Conclusion: Early life stress was significantly associated with DNA methylation levels at 5-HTTLPR related to the decreased white matter integrity in the SLF region in PD. Decreased white matter connectivity in the SLF might be related to trait anxiety and is vital to the pathophysiology of PD.
期刊介绍:
The biological approach to mental disorders continues to yield innovative findings of clinical importance, particularly if methodologies are combined. This journal collects high quality empirical studies from various experimental and clinical approaches in the fields of Biological Psychiatry, Biological Psychology and Neuropsychology. It features original, clinical and basic research in the fields of neurophysiology and functional imaging, neuropharmacology and neurochemistry, neuroendocrinology and neuroimmunology, genetics and their relationships with normal psychology and psychopathology. In addition, the reader will find studies on animal models of mental disorders and therapeutic interventions, and pharmacoelectroencephalographic studies. Regular reviews report new methodologic approaches, and selected case reports provide hints for future research. ''Neuropsychobiology'' is a complete record of strategies and methodologies employed to study the biological basis of mental functions including their interactions with psychological and social factors.