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The Intersection of Genome, Epigenome and Social Experience in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Exploring Modifiable Pathways for Intervention
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

The Intersection of Genome, Epigenome and Social Experience in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Exploring Modifiable Pathways for Intervention

Lane Strathearn, Allison Momany, Emese Kovács, William Guiler and Christine Ladd-Acosta
Neurobiology of learning and memory, Vol.202, pp.107761-107761
04/28/2023
DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107761
PMCID: PMC10330448
PMID: 37121464
url
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10330448/pdf/nihms-1898907.pdfView
Open Access

Abstract

[Display omitted] •There is evidence that both genes and environment contribute to symptoms in autism.•Early social experience may be related to DNA methylation patterns in autism.•DNA methylation in the OXTR gene may influence social and cognitive outcomes.•Autism genetic risk variants may control DNA methylation and developmental outcomes. The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased substantially over the past two decades. Current research suggests that both genetic and environmental risk factors are involved in the etiology of ASD. The goal of this paper is to examine how one specific environmental factor, early social experience, may be correlated with DNA methylation (DNAm) changes in genes associated with ASD. We present an innovative model which proposes that polygenic risk and changes in DNAm due to social experience may both contribute to the symptoms of ASD. Previous research on genetic and environmental factors implicated in the etiology of ASD will be reviewed, with an emphasis on the oxytocin receptor gene, which may be epigenetically altered by early social experience, and which plays a crucial role in social and cognitive development. Identifying an environmental risk factor for ASD (e.g., social experience) that could be modified via early intervention and which results in epigenetic (DNAm) changes, could transform our understanding of this condition, facilitate earlier identification of ASD, and guide early intervention efforts.
Epigenetics Autism spectrum disorder DNA methylation oxytocin oxytocin receptor gene social experience

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