Poster Abstracts

Abstract

Childhood adversities are associated with later development of psychiatric disorders, but the aetiopathogenesis remains unknown. We present a study to elucidate the epigenomic mediation between reported childhood trauma and parenting, and psychopathological risk. We posit this risk to be mediated by DNA hypermethylation of the reelin gene promoter, which is involved in neuronal migration and synaptogenesis. Participants aged 14-29, recruited from the community, were assessed by Structured Clinical interview for DSM IV Axis I (SCID-I) and Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental State (CAARMS). Data on parent-child relationships and child trauma were collected by Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) and Child Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). The clinical assessment was complemented by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes, bisulphite-converted, PCR-amplified and pyro-sequenced. Methylation percentage was entered into a regression model to predict clinical risk. DNA hypermethylation on the reelin CpG island 1 was significantly associated with higher positive symptoms scores, higher emotional, physical, sexual abuse and physical neglect. The association between low PBI Maternal Care and reelin hypermethylation was marginally significant. Abnormal DNA hypermethylation on reelin CpG island 1 was positively and significantly associated with CAARMS composite score. Our results suggest that the impact of early social and emotional adversities is possibly mediated by DNA hypermethylation of the reelin gene. This finding encourages us to further investigate the role of early life experiences to alter epigenetic patterns in genes crucial for neurodevelopment and mental health.