INTRODUCING MIND: THE METHYLATION, IMAGING AND NEURODEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM

Abstract

Epigenetic processes, such as DNA methylation (DNAm), show potential as biological markers and mechanisms underlying gene-environment interplay in the prediction of psychiatric and other brain-based phenotypes. However, we still know surprisingly little about how peripheral epigenetic patterns relate to individual differences in the brain itself. An increasingly popular approach to address this is by combining epigenetic and neuroimaging data; yet, research is almost entirely comprised of cross-sectional studies in adults, with modest sample sizes (median N = 80) and a lack of replication.

To bridge this gap, we present here the new Methylation, Imaging and NeuroDevelopment (MIND) Consortium. MIND aims to bring a developmental focus to the emerging field of Neuroimaging Epigenetics by (i) promoting collaborative, adequately powered developmental research via multi-cohort analyses; (ii) increasing scientific rigor through the establishment of shared pipelines and open science practices; and (iii) advancing our understanding of DNA methylation-brain dynamics at different developmental periods (from birth to emerging adulthood), by leveraging data from prospective, longitudinal pediatric studies.

MIND currently brings together 14 cohorts worldwide, comprising samples from North and South America, Europe, Africa and Australia, with (repeated) measures of DNAm in peripheral tissues (blood, buccal cells, and saliva) and neuroimaging by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) across up to five time points across development (Npooled DNAm = 11,791; Npooled neuroimaging = 9,350; Npooled combined = 5,249). The MIND Consortium operates as an open network, welcoming researchers who have access to neuroimaging and epigenetic data (collected at 1+ time points before 18 years) to join.

In this talk, we introduce the consortium, presenting key characteristics of the samples and data types included. We discuss main considerations, challenges and opportunities in collaborative research on developmental neuroimaging epigenetics, including: (i) separating developmental from technical variability, (ii) modeling time-varying DNAm-brain associations in multi-cohort analyses, and (iii) addressing the dimensionality of neuroimaging epigenetic data. We conclude with key priorities for the consortium, current plans and future directions.

By triangulating associations across multiple developmental time points and study types, we aim to generate new insights about the dynamic relationship between peripheral DNA methylation and the brain, and to improve understanding of how these ultimately relate to neurodevelopmental and psychiatric phenotypes.