PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Aging and gene expression -- possible links to autism and schizophrenia in offspring

2013-12-09
(Press-News.org) Contact information: Laura Hill
lhill@acnp.org
American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
Aging and gene expression -- possible links to autism and schizophrenia in offspring Advanced paternal age has been associated with greater risk for psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism. With an increase in paternal age, there is a greater frequency of certain types of mutations that contribute to these disorders in offspring. Mutations are changes in the genetic code. Recent research, however, looks beyond the genetic code to "epigenetic effects", which do not involve changes in the genes themselves, but rather in how they are expressed to determine one's characteristics. Such epigenetic changes in sperm, related to ageing, have been linked with psychiatric disorders in offspring. Maria Milekic, PhD, reported today, at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology annual meeting in Hollywood Florida, that old mice have an epigenetic change ‒ a loss of DNA methylation at the locations where the genetic code starts being transcribed. DNA methylation is a biochemical process that plays an important regulatory role in development and disease. The work was done by a research team in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University. Offspring of old fathers showed the same deficit in DNA methylation, and they differed in their behavior from the offspring of the young fathers. They showed less exploratory activity and differed in the startle response and in habituation. Two groups, with 10 breeder mice per group, were tested. The breeders were either old (12 month) or young (3 month) males, each bred with two young (3 month) female mice. Then the behavior of the offspring was tested when they were 3 months old. DNA methylation also was tested in the young and old fathers' sperm, and brains of the offspring were tested for DNA methylation as well as gene expression. "We were interested in understanding the mechanism of the paternal age effect", said Dr. Milekic."The risk for schizophrenia increases 2-fold when a father is over 45 years of age, and the risk for autism increases 2-5-fold. It seemed unlikely that mutation alone could account for this. We therefore speculated that DNA methylation could provide an alternative mechanism." Not only did the offspring of the old fathers differ from their counterparts with young fathers in DNA methylation, they also showed significant differences in the expression of genes that have been implicated in autism spectrum disorders and that are known to regulate the development and function of the brain. These findings point to possible factors that can lead to autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia, and ultimately may lead to more effective therapeutic interventions. With respect to studies in the immediate future, Dr. Milekic said,"We are trying to evaluate changes in different brain regions. Our studies before did not compare brain regions. Most of the genes that have altered expression are in the cerebellum. We are interested in how DNA methylation in the cerebellum is affected by paternal age." ### The work was supported by grants from NIMH and the Simon Foundation to Jay Gingrich, MD, PhD, and a NARSAD Young Investigator Awa rd from the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation to Dr. Milekic. 646-774-8724 Media Relations, Dacia Morris Dr. Maria Milekic 212-543-6919 Developmental Neuroscience, NY State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University Medical Center mm2932@columbia.edu


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Optimal parameter of Neiguan acupuncture for cerebral infarction

2013-12-09
Optimal parameter of Neiguan acupuncture for cerebral infarction The individual difference and non-repeatability in acupuncture have not only restricted the development of acupuncture, but have also affected the specificity of acupoints. As reported in a recent ...

rTMS for hallucination in schizophrenia spectrum disorders

2013-12-09
rTMS for hallucination in schizophrenia spectrum disorders Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation uses a non-invasive and relatively painless tool to stimulate the human brain in vivo using very strong, pulsed magnetic fields. It is also used to explore and ...

Does zinc supplementation reduce aluminum-induced neurotoxicity?

2013-12-09
Does zinc supplementation reduce aluminum-induced neurotoxicity? Studies have shown that aluminum neurotoxicity can likely affect learning and memory function, and a diet containing 100–200 mg/kg zinc is adequate for maintaining learning and memory function in ...

Prion protein can trigger spongiform encephalopathy and neurodegeneration

2013-12-09
Prion protein can trigger spongiform encephalopathy and neurodegeneration Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy or prion disease is triggered by the conversion from cellular prion protein to pathogenic prion protein. Notably, C-transmembrane form of prion protein ...

Cockroach never seen before in US is identified in New York

2013-12-09
Cockroach never seen before in US is identified in New York Analysis by Rutgers researchers confirms an Asian species that can survive in cold and snow NEWARK, N.J. -- With winter's arrival comes the kind of news that may give New Yorkers the creeps. A species ...

JCI early table of contents for Dec. 9, 2013

2013-12-09
JCI early table of contents for Dec. 9, 2013 Breast cancer prognosis associated with oncometabolite accumulation The metabolic profile of cancer cells can be used to develop therapies and identify biomarkers associated with cancer outcome. In this issue ...

Breast cancer prognosis associated with oncometabolite accumulation

2013-12-09
Breast cancer prognosis associated with oncometabolite accumulation The metabolic profile of cancer cells can be used to develop therapies and identify biomarkers associated with cancer outcome. In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation Stefan ...

Choloroquine reduces formation of bone resorbing cells in murine osteoporosis

2013-12-09
Choloroquine reduces formation of bone resorbing cells in murine osteoporosis Bone homeostasis requires precise balance between deposition of new bone by osteoblasts and resorption of old bone by osteoclasts. Bone diseases, including osteoporosis and ...

Ancient fresh water lake on Mars could have sustained life

2013-12-09
Ancient fresh water lake on Mars could have sustained life Scientists have found evidence that there was once an ancient lake on Mars that may have been able to support life Scientists have found evidence that there was once an ancient lake on Mars that ...

Gene 'driver' of Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia in up to one-third of patients identified

2013-12-09
Gene 'driver' of Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia in up to one-third of patients identified Drug that targets the driver mutation proves effective in animal studies NEW ORLEANS— In nearly one-third of patients with Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia, ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Robotic space rovers keep getting stuck. UW engineers have figured out why

New research shows how immigration status can become a death sentence during public health crisis

University of Toronto Engineering researchers develop safer alternative non-stick coating

Good vibrations: Scientists use imaging technology to visualize heat

More ecological diversity means better nutritional resources in Fiji’s agroforests

New global study shows freshwater is disappearing at alarming rates

Scientists create an artificial cell capable of navigating its environment using chemistry alone

A little salt is good for battery health

Deep-sea fish confirmed as a significant source of ocean carbonate

How to keep kids with eating disorders home after hospital stay? Therapy

Sex differences affect efficacy of opioid overdose treatment

Aligning AI with Human Values and Well-Being

Engineering the next generation of experimental physics

The scuba diving industry is funding marine ecosystem conservation and employing locals

BATMAN brings TCR therapy out of the shadows

Surrogates more likely to be diagnosed with mental illness, study finds

Columbia Engineering researchers turn dairy byproduct into tissue repair gel

Global estimates of lives and life-years saved by COVID-19 vaccination during 2020-2024

Potential trade-offs of proposed cuts to the NIH

New research simulates cancer cell behavior

COVID, over 2.5 million deaths prevented worldwide thanks to vaccines. One life saved for every 5,400 doses administered

Scuba diving generates up to $20 billion annually

Scientists advance efforts to create ‘virtual cell lab’ as testing ground for future research with live cells

How DNA packaging controls the “genome’s guardian”

Simplified models, deeper insights: Coarse-grained models unlock new potential for ionic liquid simulations

Gorillas’ personal circumstances shape their aggression towards groupmates

Which signalling pathways in the cell lead to possible therapies for Parkinson's disease

Identifying landslide threats using hydrological predictors

First graders who use more educational media spend more time reading

Exploring the meaning in life through phenomenology and philosophy

[Press-News.org] Aging and gene expression -- possible links to autism and schizophrenia in offspring