Journal article
Optimizing the chances of success in the search for epigenetic biomarkers: Embracing genetic variation
American journal of medical genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric genetics, Vol.174(6), pp.589-594
09/2017
DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.b.32569
PMCID: PMC5562041
PMID: 28696057
Abstract
The emphasis on clinical translation in biomedical research continues to grow. This focus has been particularly notable in those investigators using epigenetic approaches to decipher the biology of complex behavioral disorders. As a result of these efforts, reproducible findings for several disorders, such as smoking, have been generated, giving rise to hopes that biomarkers for other behavioral illnesses would be forthcoming. Unfortunately, that biomedical cornucopia has not yet materialized. In this editorial, we review progress to date and discuss barriers to generating epigenetic biomarkers for complex behavioral disorders. We highlight the need to incorporate information on genetic variation and develop more powerful bioinformatics tools in order to optimize the likelihood of success. We emphasize that searches should focus on clearly defined, readily distinguishable behavioral constructs and suggest that some well‐intentioned methods, such as correction for cellular heterogeneity, may actually impede the identification of clinically relevant biomarkers in peripheral blood. Finally, we describe how the understanding created by the development of these biomarkers may lead to more valid animal models of neuropsychiatric illness. We conclude that the prospects for epigenetic biomarkers for complex disorders are bright, but emphasize that the journey to the clinical implementation of these findings will be a slow, iterative process.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Optimizing the chances of success in the search for epigenetic biomarkers: Embracing genetic variation
- Creators
- Robert Philibert - University of IowaStephen J Glatt - SUNY Upstate Medical University
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- American journal of medical genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric genetics, Vol.174(6), pp.589-594
- DOI
- 10.1002/ajmg.b.32569
- PMID
- 28696057
- PMCID
- PMC5562041
- NLM abbreviation
- Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet
- ISSN
- 1552-4841
- eISSN
- 1552-485X
- Number of pages
- 6
- Grant note
- U.S. NIH (R44 AA022041; R01 DA037648; R44 CA213507)
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/2017
- Academic Unit
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Psychiatry; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
- Record Identifier
- 9984070326202771
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