Intellectual disabilities affect an individual’s ability to communicate, process information and can severely impact basic life skills of people from all age groups. Many are a result of a genetic mutation and have often had little insight on any cures or treatments. Recent research published in Cell suggests that epigenetics may play a role in alleviating behavioral symptoms and … Continue reading Epigenetics May Provide Relief for Fragile X Syndrome and Intellectual Disorders
The Epigenetics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises of a range of neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by social/communication deficits as well as repetitive/restrictive interests or behaviours. Currently, the exact causes of ASD symptomology is far from being understood. This is, in part, due to the complex and multifactorial nature of the disorder.Despite such complexities significant progress to understanding the disorder … Continue reading The Epigenetics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Epigenetic Marks in Blood May Help Detect Early Alzheimer’s
Late onset Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of the disease, which affects over 35 million people around the world with crippling dementia. Recent evidence suggests that early intervention can help slow down the memory loss—one of Alzheimer’s hallmark symptoms. Earlier intervention can occur with earlier detection, and so researchers have been focusing on … Continue reading Epigenetic Marks in Blood May Help Detect Early Alzheimer’s
Mitochondrial DNA Methylation Gives Clues to Insulin Response in Pre-Diabetics
What if those who are resistant to insulin but don’t have diabetes could help prevent themselves and others from developing the disease? Researchers from Virginia Tech have discovered a biomarker in those who are pre-diabetic that could prevent them and potentially others from getting type 2 diabetes. The researchers uncovered that pre-diabetics, or people … Continue reading Mitochondrial DNA Methylation Gives Clues to Insulin Response in Pre-Diabetics
DNA Methylation Influences Continuous Variation in Ant Worker Size
Scientists have thought that differences in traits that exist along a continuum like skin color, height, intelligence, ability to gain weight, and risk for developing diseases were due to genetic and environmental factors. The connection between these two factors and how they interact together, however, has long been uncertain. Researchers from McGill University have conducted … Continue reading DNA Methylation Influences Continuous Variation in Ant Worker Size
Could a New Epigenetic Blood Test Predict Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease characterized by the body’s inability to properly use insulin and it affects over 29 million Americans. With new epigenetic research, however, the disease may be mitigated with a simple blood test that offers early knowledge and the possibility for pre-emptive lifestyle management. Lund University researchers in Sweden published their study in Nature Communications, … Continue reading Could a New Epigenetic Blood Test Predict Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes?
Epigenetic Marks Found In Blood Test Could Help Save Diabetics
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic illness in which a person’s body cannot produce enough insulin to process blood sugar in a healthy way. It affects millions of people all over the world, and it can be a debilitating and even deadly disease if not properly managed. The inability to metabolize glucose can lead to … Continue reading Epigenetic Marks Found In Blood Test Could Help Save Diabetics
A Mother’s Behavior Could Epigenetically Impact Infant Oxytocin Levels
“Nature vs. nurture” is an argument as old as time, and understanding how “nature” is expressed and how “nurture” carries lasting effects in individuals is important in determining health outcomes later in life, especially when it comes to the bond shared between a mother and her child. As we know, when a mother breastfeeds her child, she … Continue reading A Mother’s Behavior Could Epigenetically Impact Infant Oxytocin Levels
Moms Exposed to Lead May Impact DNA Methylation of Her Children and Grandchildren
Evidence supporting multigenerational epigenetic inheritance continues to mount as a group of researchers discover that mothers who have a significant amount of lead present in their blood can epigenetically impact not only their unborn children, but their grandchildren as well. The study was published in Scientific Reports. It is well known that children in the womb … Continue reading Moms Exposed to Lead May Impact DNA Methylation of Her Children and Grandchildren
Poor Socioeconomic Status May Leave Epigenetic Mark on Gene Linked to Depression
Could there be connections between socio-economic status, epigenetics, and one’s likelihood of developing depression? Previous and current research has long revealed a relationship between poverty and depression, and now new research suggests that there could be an underlying epigenetic influence. This new finding may help mediate the association between lower socioeconomic status and the risk of … Continue reading Poor Socioeconomic Status May Leave Epigenetic Mark on Gene Linked to Depression
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 