UC Davis

Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, act at the interface of genes and environment by allowing a static genome to respond and adapt to a dynamic environment during the lifespan of an individual. Genome-wide DNA methylation analyses on a wide range of human biospecimens are beginning to identify epigenetic biomarkers that can predict risk of intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD). DNA methylation-based epigenetic signatures are becoming clinically useful in categorizing benign from pathogenic genetic variants following exome sequencing. While DNA methylation marks differ by tissue source, recent studies have shown that accessible perinatal tissues, such as placenta, cord blood, newborn blood spots, and cell free DNA may serve as accessible surrogate tissues for testing epigenetic biomarkers relevant to understanding genetic, environmental, and gene by environment interactions on the developing brain. These DNA methylation signatures may also provide important information about the biological pathways that become dysregulated prior to disease progression that could be used to develop early pharmacological interventions. Future applications could involve preventative screenings using DNA methylation biomarkers during pregnancy or the newborn period for IDDs and other neurodevelopmental disorders. DNA methylation biomarkers in adolescence and adulthood are also likely to be clinically useful for tracking biological aging or co-occurring health conditions that develop across the lifespan. In conclusion, DNA methylation biomarkers are expected to become more common in clinical diagnoses of IDD, to improve understanding of complex IDD etiologies, to improve endpoints for clinical trials, and to monitor potential health concerns for individuals with IDD as they age.