1
|
Abrishamcar S, Chen J, Feil D, Kilanowski A, Koen N, Vanker A, Wedderburn CJ, Donald KA, Zar HJ, Stein DJ, Hüls A. DNA methylation as a potential mediator of the association between prenatal tobacco and alcohol exposure and child neurodevelopment in a South African birth cohort. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:418. [PMID: 36180424 PMCID: PMC9525659 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02195-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal tobacco exposure (PTE) and prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) have been associated with an increased risk of delayed neurodevelopment in children as well as differential newborn DNA methylation (DNAm). However, the biological mechanisms connecting PTE and PAE, DNAm, and neurodevelopment are largely unknown. Here we aim to determine whether differential DNAm mediates the association between PTE and PAE and neurodevelopment at 6 (N = 112) and 24 months (N = 184) in children from the South African Drakenstein Child Health Study. PTE and PAE were assessed antenatally using urine cotinine measurements and the ASSIST questionnaire, respectively. Cord blood DNAm was measured using the EPIC and 450 K BeadChips. Neurodevelopment (cognitive, language, motor, adaptive behavior, socioemotional) was measured using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition. We constructed methylation risk scores (MRS) for PTE and PAE and conducted causal mediation analysis (CMA) with these MRS as mediators. Next, we conducted a high-dimensional mediation analysis to identify individual CpG sites as potential mediators, followed by a CMA to estimate the average causal mediation effects (ACME) and total effect (TE). PTE and PAE were associated with neurodevelopment at 6 but not at 24 months. PTE MRS reached a prediction accuracy (R2) of 0.23 but did not significantly mediate the association between PTE and neurodevelopment. PAE MRS was not predictive of PAE (R2 = 0.006). For PTE, 31 CpG sites and eight CpG sites were identified as significant mediators (ACME and TE P < 0.05) for the cognitive and motor domains at 6 months, respectively. For PAE, 16 CpG sites and 1 CpG site were significant mediators for the motor and adaptive behavior domains at 6 months, respectively. Several of the associated genes, including MAD1L1, CAMTA1, and ALDH1A2 have been implicated in neurodevelopmental delay, suggesting that differential DNAm may partly explain the biological mechanisms underlying the relationship between PTE and PAE and child neurodevelopment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarina Abrishamcar
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Junyu Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dakotah Feil
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anna Kilanowski
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology, Pettenkofer School of Public Health, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Division of Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, University of Munich Medical Center, Munich, Germany
| | - Nastassja Koen
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Aneesa Vanker
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Catherine J Wedderburn
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kirsten A Donald
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heather J Zar
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dan J Stein
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anke Hüls
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Knopik VS, Micalizzi L, Marceau K, Loviska AM, Yu L, Bien A, Rolan E, Evans AS, Palmer RHC, Heath AC. The roles of familial transmission and smoking during pregnancy on executive function skills: A sibling-comparison study. Dev Psychopathol 2022; 34:1-13. [PMID: 36039978 PMCID: PMC10710697 DOI: 10.1017/s095457942200075x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
This research examines maternal smoking during pregnancy and risk for poorer executive function in siblings discordant for exposure. Data (N = 173 families) were drawn from the Missouri Mothers and Their Children study, a sample, identified using birth records (years 1998-2005), in which mothers changed smoking behavior between two pregnancies (Child 1 [older sibling]: M age = 12.99; Child 2 [younger sibling]: M age = 10.19). A sibling comparison approach was used, providing a robust test for the association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and different aspects of executive function in early-mid adolescence. Results suggested within-family (i.e., potentially causal) associations between maternal smoking during pregnancy and one working memory task (visual working memory) and one response inhibition task (color-word interference), with increased exposure associated with decreased performance. Maternal smoking during pregnancy was not associated with stop-signal reaction time, cognitive flexibility/set-shifting, or auditory working memory. Initial within-family associations between maternal smoking during pregnancy and visual working memory as well as color-word interference were fully attenuated in a model including child and familial covariates. These findings indicate that exposure to maternal smoking during pregnancy may be associated with poorer performance on some, but not all skills assessed; however, familial transmission of risk for low executive function appears more important.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valerie S Knopik
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, 1202 West State St, West Lafayette, USA, IN, 47906
| | - Lauren Micalizzi
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Box G-S121-5 Providence, RI, 02903, USA
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Box G-S121-5, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Kristine Marceau
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, 1202 West State St, West Lafayette, USA, IN, 47906
| | - Amy M Loviska
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, 1202 West State St, West Lafayette, USA, IN, 47906
| | - Li Yu
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, 1202 West State St, West Lafayette, USA, IN, 47906
| | - Alexandra Bien
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, 1202 West State St, West Lafayette, USA, IN, 47906
| | - Emily Rolan
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, 316 Physics Rd., East Lansing, MI, 48823, USA
| | - Allison S Evans
- Concord Comprehensive Neuropsychological Services, 86 Baker Avenue Extension #301, Concord, MA, 01742, USA
| | - Rohan H C Palmer
- Behavioral Genetics of Addiction Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Emory University, 36 Eagle Row, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Andrew C Heath
- Midwest Alcoholism Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Buck JM, Yu L, Knopik VS, Stitzel JA. DNA methylome perturbations: an epigenetic basis for the emergingly heritable neurodevelopmental abnormalities associated with maternal smoking and maternal nicotine exposure†. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:644-666. [PMID: 34270696 PMCID: PMC8444709 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with an ensemble of neurodevelopmental consequences in children and therefore constitutes a pressing public health concern. Adding to this burden, contemporary epidemiological and especially animal model research suggests that grandmaternal smoking is similarly associated with neurodevelopmental abnormalities in grandchildren, indicative of intergenerational transmission of the neurodevelopmental impacts of maternal smoking. Probing the mechanistic bases of neurodevelopmental anomalies in the children of maternal smokers and the intergenerational transmission thereof, emerging research intimates that epigenetic changes, namely DNA methylome perturbations, are key factors. Altogether, these findings warrant future research to fully elucidate the etiology of neurodevelopmental impairments in the children and grandchildren of maternal smokers and underscore the clear potential thereof to benefit public health by informing the development and implementation of preventative measures, prophylactics, and treatments. To this end, the present review aims to encapsulate the burgeoning evidence linking maternal smoking to intergenerational epigenetic inheritance of neurodevelopmental abnormalities, to identify the strengths and weaknesses thereof, and to highlight areas of emphasis for future human and animal model research therein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Buck
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Li Yu
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Valerie S Knopik
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Jerry A Stitzel
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Buck JM, O'Neill HC, Stitzel JA. The Intergenerational Transmission of Developmental Nicotine Exposure-Induced Neurodevelopmental Disorder-Like Phenotypes is Modulated by the Chrna5 D397N Polymorphism in Adolescent Mice. Behav Genet 2021; 51:665-684. [PMID: 34159514 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-021-10071-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Maternal tobacco smoking during pregnancy constitutes developmental nicotine exposure (DNE) and is associated with nicotine dependence and neurodevelopmental disorders in both children and grandchildren as well as animal models thereof. Genetic variants such as the CHRNA5 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs16969968, which leads to an aspartic acid to asparagine substitution at amino acid position 398 (D398N) in the alpha-5 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit, can also confer risk for nicotine dependence and neurodevelopmental disorders in the absence of DNE. However, the degrees to which, the consequences of maternal smoking on offspring outcomes are influenced by genetic variants and interactions therewith are not well understood. Addressing this void in the literature, the present study utilizes a DNE mouse model engineered to possess the equivalent of the human D398N SNP in CHRNA5 (D397N SNP in mice) to assess how the N397 risk allele impacts the induction and intergenerational transmission of a range of neurodevelopmental disorder-related behavioral phenotypes in first- and second-generation DNE offspring. Results reveal that offspring possessing the N397 variant in the absence of DNE as well as DNE offspring and grand offspring possessing theD397 variant exhibit analogous neurodevelopmental disorder-like phenotypes including hyperactivity, risk-taking behaviors, aberrant rhythmicity of activity, and enhanced nicotine consumption. DNE amplified these behavioral anomalies in first-generation N397 progeny, but the severity of DNE-evoked behavioral perturbations did not significantly differ between first-generation D397 and N397 DNE mice for any measure. Remarkably, the behavioral profiles of second-generation N397 DNE progeny closely resembled DNE-naive D397 mice, suggesting that the N397 variant may protect against the intergenerational transmission of DNE-induced neurodevelopmental disorder-like behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Buck
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, 1480 30th Street, Boulder, CO, 80309-0447, USA
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
| | - Heidi C O'Neill
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, 1480 30th Street, Boulder, CO, 80309-0447, USA
| | - Jerry A Stitzel
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, 1480 30th Street, Boulder, CO, 80309-0447, USA.
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhou L, Tao X, Pang G, Mu M, Sun Q, Liu F, Hu Y, Tao H, Li B, Xu K. Maternal Nicotine Exposure Alters Hippocampal Microglia Polarization and Promotes Anti-inflammatory Signaling in Juvenile Offspring in Mice. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:661304. [PMID: 34045967 PMCID: PMC8144443 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.661304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence reveal that maternal smoking or perinatal nicotine replacement therapy impairs hippocampal neurogenesis, neural development, and cognitive behaviors in the offspring. Microglia is a source of non-neural regulation of neuronal development and postnatal neurogenesis. In this study, we explored the impact of nicotine on the microglia during the development of hippocampus. Developmental nicotine exposure in a mouse model was conducted by supplementing nicotine in the drinking water to mother mice during gestation and lactation period. We found that juvenile offspring with maternal nicotine exposure presented physical and neurobehavioral development delay and an increase in anxiety-like behavior in the open field test on postnatal day (PND) 20. To further detect possible developmental neurotoxic effects of nicotine in offspring and underlying mechanism, whole genome microarray analysis of the expression profile of the hippocampus was performed on postnatal day 20. Significant alterations in the expression of genes related to inflammatory, neurotransmitter, and synapsis were observed in the hippocampus after maternal nicotine exposure, as compared to the vehicle control. Concurrently, an increase in microglial markers and the presence of M2 polarity state in the hippocampus of the nicotine offspring were observed by histological analysis and confocal z-stacking scanning. The M2 microglial polarization state was further confirmed with in vitro primary microglia culture by cytokine array, and double-positive expression of BDNF/Iba1 in microglia by immunohistochemical staining in the juvenile offspring hippocampus was visualized. We also found that nicotine offspring showed an increase of neurite length in the molecular layer and CA1 by Tuj1 staining, as well as an increase in the expression of synapse associated protein, PSD95, but the expression of NeuroD1 in CA1 and CA3 reduced. In summary, maternal nicotine exposure dysregulates immune-related genes expression by skewing the polarity of M2 microglia in the hippocampus, which may cause abnormal cognitive and behavioral performance in the offspring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhou
- Center for Medical Research, School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Xinrong Tao
- Center for Medical Research, School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety, Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Safety and Health, Anhui Province, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Gang Pang
- College of Basic Medical Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Min Mu
- Center for Medical Research, School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety, Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Safety and Health, Anhui Province, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Qixian Sun
- Center for Medical Research, School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Center for Medical Research, School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Yuting Hu
- Center for Medical Research, School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Huihui Tao
- Center for Medical Research, School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety, Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Safety and Health, Anhui Province, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Bing Li
- Center for Medical Research, School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| | - Keyi Xu
- Center for Medical Research, School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Control and Occupational Health, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Key Laboratory of Industrial Dust Deep Reduction and Occupational Health and Safety, Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China.,Engineering Laboratory of Occupational Safety and Health, Anhui Province, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Thapar A, Rice F. Family-Based Designs that Disentangle Inherited Factors from Pre- and Postnatal Environmental Exposures: In Vitro Fertilization, Discordant Sibling Pairs, Maternal versus Paternal Comparisons, and Adoption Designs. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2021; 11:cshperspect.a038877. [PMID: 32152247 PMCID: PMC7919395 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a038877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Identifying environmental risk and protective exposures that have causal effects on health is an important scientific goal. Many environmental exposures are nonrandomly allocated and influenced by dispositional factors including inherited ones. We review family-based designs that can separate the influence of environmental exposures from inherited influences shared between parent and offspring. We focus on prenatal exposures. We highlight that the family-based designs that can separate the prenatal environment from inherited confounds are different to those that are able to pull apart later-life environmental exposures from inherited confounds. We provide a brief review of the literature on maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct problems; these inconsistencies in the literature make a review useful and this illustrates that results of family-based genetically informed studies are inconsistent with a causal interpretation for this exposure and these two offspring outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anita Thapar
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Section, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, United Kingdom
| | - Frances Rice
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Section, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff CF24 4HQ, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ekblad MO, Rolan E, Marceau K, Palmer R, Todorov A, Heath AC, Knopik VS. Disruptive Behavior in Siblings Discordant for Exposure to Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy: A Multi-rater Approach. Nicotine Tob Res 2020; 22:1330-1338. [PMID: 31734697 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntz214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Maternal smoking during pregnancy (SDP) is associated with disruptive behavior. However, there is debate whether the SDP-disruptive behavior association is a potentially causal pathway or rather a spurious effect confounded by shared genetic and environmental factors. AIMS AND METHODS The Missouri Mothers and Their Children Study is a sibling comparison study that includes families (n = 173) selected for sibling pairs (aged 7-16 years) discordant for SDP. Critically, the sibling comparison design is used to disentangle the effects of SDP from familial confounds on disruptive behavior. An SDP severity score was created for each child using a combination of SDP indicators (timing, duration, and amount of SDP). Multiple informants (parents and teachers) reported on disruptive behavior (i.e., DSM-IV semi-structured interview, the Child Behavior Checklist, and Teacher Report Form). RESULTS The variability in disruptive behavior was primarily a function of within-family differences (66%-100%). Consistent with prior genetically informed approaches, the SDP-disruptive behavior association was primarily explained by familial confounds (genetic and environmental). However, when using a multi-rater approach (parents and teachers), results suggest a potentially causal effect of SDP on disruptive behavior (b = 0.09, SE = 0.04, p = 0.03). The potentially causal effect of SDP remained significant in sensitivity analyses. DISCUSSION These findings suggest that familial confounding likely plays a complex role in the SDP-disruptive behavior association when examining both parent and teacher reports of behavior. Importantly, the current study highlights the importance of multiple raters, reflecting a more comprehensive measure of complex behaviors (e.g., disruptive behavior) to examine the teratogenic effects of SDP. IMPLICATIONS Our study provides additional evidence that controlling for genetic and family factors is essential when examining the effect of SDP on later behavioral problems, as it explains a portion of the association between SDP and later behavioral problems. However, we found a significant association between SDP and disruptive behavior when using a multi-rater approach that capitalizes on both parent and teacher report, suggesting that parent and teacher ratings capture a unique perspective that is important to consider when examining SDP-behavior associations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mikael O Ekblad
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.,Department of General Practice, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Turku University and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Emily Rolan
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
| | - Kristine Marceau
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
| | - Rohan Palmer
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Alexandre Todorov
- Department of Psychiatry, Midwest Alcoholism Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO
| | - Andrew C Heath
- Department of Psychiatry, Midwest Alcoholism Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO
| | - Valerie S Knopik
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Neumann A, Walton E, Alemany S, Cecil C, González JR, Jima DD, Lahti J, Tuominen ST, Barker ED, Binder E, Caramaschi D, Carracedo Á, Czamara D, Evandt J, Felix JF, Fuemmeler BF, Gutzkow KB, Hoyo C, Julvez J, Kajantie E, Laivuori H, Maguire R, Maitre L, Murphy SK, Murcia M, Villa PM, Sharp G, Sunyer J, Raikkönen K, Bakermans-Kranenburg M, IJzendoorn MV, Guxens M, Relton CL, Tiemeier H. Association between DNA methylation and ADHD symptoms from birth to school age: a prospective meta-analysis. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:398. [PMID: 33184255 PMCID: PMC7665047 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01058-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood disorder with a substantial genetic component. However, the extent to which epigenetic mechanisms play a role in the etiology of the disorder is unknown. We performed epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) within the Pregnancy And Childhood Epigenetics (PACE) Consortium to identify DNA methylation sites associated with ADHD symptoms at two methylation assessment periods: birth and school age. We examined associations of both DNA methylation in cord blood with repeatedly assessed ADHD symptoms (age 4-15 years) in 2477 children from 5 cohorts and of DNA methylation at school age with concurrent ADHD symptoms (age 7-11 years) in 2374 children from 9 cohorts, with 3 cohorts participating at both timepoints. CpGs identified with nominal significance (p < 0.05) in either of the EWAS were correlated between timepoints (ρ = 0.30), suggesting overlap in associations; however, top signals were very different. At birth, we identified nine CpGs that predicted later ADHD symptoms (p < 1 × 10-7), including ERC2 and CREB5. Peripheral blood DNA methylation at one of these CpGs (cg01271805 in the promoter region of ERC2, which regulates neurotransmitter release) was previously associated with brain methylation. Another (cg25520701) lies within the gene body of CREB5, which previously was associated with neurite outgrowth and an ADHD diagnosis. In contrast, at school age, no CpGs were associated with ADHD with p < 1 × 10-7. In conclusion, we found evidence in this study that DNA methylation at birth is associated with ADHD. Future studies are needed to confirm the utility of methylation variation as biomarker and its involvement in causal pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Neumann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.,The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Esther Walton
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Silvia Alemany
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Charlotte Cecil
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Juan Ramon González
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dereje D Jima
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, NCSU, Raleigh, NC, USA.,Bioinformatics Research Center, NCSU, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Jari Lahti
- Turku Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Samuli T Tuominen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Edward D Barker
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.,Centre for Population Neuroscience and Stratified Medicine (PONS), MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre, London, UK
| | - Elisabeth Binder
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Doretta Caramaschi
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Ángel Carracedo
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, Fundación Pública Galega de Merdicina Xenómica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), SERGAS, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Centro de Investigación en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER) y Centro Nacional de Genotipado (CEGEN-PRB3), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Darina Czamara
- Department of Translational Research in Psychiatry, Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Jorunn Evandt
- Department of Air Pollution and Noise, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Janine F Felix
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bernard F Fuemmeler
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Kristine B Gutzkow
- Department of Molecular Biology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Cathrine Hoyo
- Center for Human Health and the Environment, NCSU, Raleigh, NC, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Jordi Julvez
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eero Kajantie
- Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.,Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hannele Laivuori
- Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.,Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Rachel Maguire
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Léa Maitre
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susan K Murphy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Mario Murcia
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain.,Joint Research Unit of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Pia M Villa
- Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Gemma Sharp
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jordi Sunyer
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Katri Raikkönen
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | - Mònica Guxens
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain.,CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Caroline L Relton
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. .,Department of Social and Behavioral Science, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ekblad MO, Marceau K, Rolan E, Palmer RHC, Todorov A, Heath AC, Knopik VS. The Effect of Smoking during Pregnancy on Severity and Directionality of Externalizing and Internalizing Symptoms: A Genetically Informed Approach. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17217921. [PMID: 33126697 PMCID: PMC7662383 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17217921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The objective was to examine the association between maternal smoking during pregnancy (SDP) and (I) severity and (II) directionality of externalizing and internalizing symptoms in a sample of sibling pairs while rigorously controlling for familial confounds. The Missouri Mothers and Their Children Study is a family study (N = 173 families) with sibling pairs (aged 7 to 16 years) who are discordant for exposure to SDP. This sibling comparison study is designed to disentangle the effects of SDP from familial confounds. An SDP severity score was created for each child using a combination of SDP indicators (timing, duration, and amount). Principal component analysis of externalizing and internalizing behavior, assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist and Teacher Report Form, was used to create symptom severity and directionality scores. The variance in severity and directionality scores was primarily a function of differences between siblings (71% and 85%, respectively) rather than differences across families (29% and 15%, respectively). The severity score that combines externalizing and internalizing symptom severity was not associated with SDP. However, a significant within-family effect of SDP on symptom directionality (b = 0.07, p = 0.04) was observed in the sibling comparison model. The positive directionality score indicates that SDP is associated with differentiation of symptoms towards externalizing rather than internalizing symptoms after controlling for familial confounds with a sibling comparison model. This supports a potentially causal relationship between SDP and externalizing behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mikael O. Ekblad
- Department of General Practice, Institute of Medicine, Turku University and Turku University Hospital, 20014 Turku, Finland
- Correspondence:
| | - Kristine Marceau
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA; (K.M.); (V.S.K.)
| | - Emily Rolan
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
| | - Rohan H. C. Palmer
- Department of Psychology, Behavioral Genetics of Addiction Laboratory, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Alexandre Todorov
- Department of Psychiatry, Midwest Alcoholism Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; (A.T.); (A.C.H.)
| | - Andrew C. Heath
- Department of Psychiatry, Midwest Alcoholism Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; (A.T.); (A.C.H.)
| | - Valerie S. Knopik
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA; (K.M.); (V.S.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Buck JM, O'Neill HC, Stitzel JA. Developmental nicotine exposure engenders intergenerational downregulation and aberrant posttranslational modification of cardinal epigenetic factors in the frontal cortices, striata, and hippocampi of adolescent mice. Epigenetics Chromatin 2020; 13:13. [PMID: 32138755 PMCID: PMC7059320 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-020-00332-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal smoking of traditional or electronic cigarettes during pregnancy, which constitutes developmental nicotine exposure (DNE), heightens the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia in children. Modeling the intergenerationally transmissible impacts of smoking during pregnancy, we previously demonstrated that both the first- and second-generation adolescent offspring of nicotine-exposed female mice exhibit enhanced nicotine preference, hyperactivity and risk-taking behaviors, aberrant rhythmicity of home cage activity, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and dopamine transporter dysfunction, impaired furin-mediated proBDNF proteolysis, hypocorticosteronemia-related glucocorticoid receptor hypoactivity, and global DNA hypomethylation in the frontal cortices and striata. This ensemble of multigenerational DNE-induced behavioral, neuropharmacological, neurotrophic, neuroendocrine, and DNA methylomic anomalies recapitulates the pathosymptomatology of neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia. Further probing the epigenetic bases of DNE-induced multigenerational phenotypic aberrations, the present study examined the expression and phosphorylation of key epigenetic factors via an array of immunoblot experiments. RESULTS Data indicate that DNE confers intergenerational deficits in corticostriatal DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) expression accompanied by downregulation of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) in the frontal cortices and hippocampi, while the expression of ten-eleven translocase methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2) is unaltered. Moreover, DNE evokes multigenerational abnormalities in HDAC2 (Ser394) but not MeCP2 (Ser421) phosphorylation in the frontal cortices, striata, and hippocampi. CONCLUSIONS In light of the extensive gene regulatory roles of DNMT3A, MeCP2, and HDAC2, the findings of this study that DNE elicits downregulation and aberrant posttranslational modification of these factors in both first- and second-generation DNE mice suggest that epigenetic perturbations may constitute a mechanistic hub for the intergenerational transmission of DNE-induced neurodevelopmental disorder-like phenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Buck
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, 1480 30th Street, Boulder, CO, 80309-0447, USA.
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA.
| | - Heidi C O'Neill
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, 1480 30th Street, Boulder, CO, 80309-0447, USA
| | - Jerry A Stitzel
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, 1480 30th Street, Boulder, CO, 80309-0447, USA
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Buck JM, O'Neill HC, Stitzel JA. Developmental nicotine exposure elicits multigenerational disequilibria in proBDNF proteolysis and glucocorticoid signaling in the frontal cortices, striata, and hippocampi of adolescent mice. Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 168:438-451. [PMID: 31404529 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Maternal smoking of conventional or vapor cigarettes during pregnancy, a form of developmental nicotine exposure (DNE), enhances the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia in children. Modeling the multigenerational effects of smoking during pregnancy and nursing in the first- (F1) and second- (F2) generation adolescent offspring of oral nicotine-treated female C57BL/6J mice, we have previously reported that DNE precipitates intergenerational transmission of nicotine preference, hyperactivity and impulsivity-like behaviors, altered rhythmicity of home cage activity, corticostriatal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and dopamine transporter dysfunction, and corticostriatal global DNA methylome deficits. In aggregate, these DNE-evoked behavioral, neuropharmacological, and epigenomic anomalies mirror fundamental etiological aspects of neurodevelopmental disorders including ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia. Expanding this line of research, the current study profiled the multigenerational neurotrophic and neuroendocrine consequences of DNE. Results reveal impaired proBDNF proteolysis as indicated by proBDNF-BDNF imbalance, downregulation of the proBDNF processing enzyme furin, atypical glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activity as implied by decreased relative nuclear GR localization, and deficient basal plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels in adolescent DNE offspring and grandoffspring. Collectively, these data recapitulate the BDNF deficits and HPA axis dysregulation characteristic of neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia as well as the children of maternal smokers. Notably, as BDNF is a quintessential mediator of neurodevelopment, our prior findings of multigenerational DNE-induced behavioral and neuropharmacological abnormalities may stem from neurodevelopmental insults conferred by the proBDNF-BDNF imbalance detected in DNE mice. Similarly, our findings of multigenerational GR hypoactivity may contribute to the increased risk-taking behaviors and aberrant circadian rhythmicity of home cage activity that we previously documented in first- and second-generation DNE mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Buck
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, United States; Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, United States.
| | - Heidi C O'Neill
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, United States
| | - Jerry A Stitzel
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, United States; Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Sourander A, Sucksdorff M, Chudal R, Surcel HM, Hinkka-Yli-Salomäki S, Gyllenberg D, Cheslack-Postava K, Brown AS. Prenatal Cotinine Levels and ADHD Among Offspring. Pediatrics 2019; 143:e20183144. [PMID: 30804074 PMCID: PMC6398365 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2018-3144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES An association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been shown across several studies based on self-reports. No previous studies have investigated the association of nicotine exposure measured by cotinine levels during pregnancy and offspring ADHD. METHODS In this population-based study, 1079 patients born between 1998 and 1999 and diagnosed with ADHD according to the International Classification of Diseases and 1079 matched controls were identified from Finnish nationwide registers. Maternal cotinine levels were measured by using quantitative immunoassays from maternal serum specimens collected during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy and archived in the national biobank. RESULTS There was a significant association between increasing log-transformed maternal cotinine levels and offspring ADHD. The odds ratio was 1.09 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.12) when adjusting for maternal socioeconomic status, maternal age, maternal psychopathology, paternal age, paternal psychopathology, and child's birth weight for gestational age. In the categorical analyses with cotinine levels in 3 groups, heavy nicotine exposure (cotinine level >50 ng/mL) was associated with offspring ADHD, with an odds ratio of 2.21 (95% CI 1.63-2.99) in the adjusted analyses. Analyses by deciles of cotinine levels revealed that the adjusted odds for offspring ADHD in the highest decile was 3.34 (95% CI 2.02-5.52). CONCLUSIONS The study reveals an association with and a dose-response relationship between nicotine exposure during pregnancy and offspring ADHD. Future studies incorporating maternal smoking and environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors are warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andre Sourander
- Department of Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland;
- Departments of Child Psychiatry and
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Minna Sucksdorff
- Department of Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Roshan Chudal
- Department of Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Heljä-Marja Surcel
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical Research Center, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Biobank Borealis of Northern Finland, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | | | - David Gyllenberg
- Department of Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- National Institutes of Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; and
| | - Keely Cheslack-Postava
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Alan S Brown
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Malanchini M, Smith-Woolley E, Ayorech Z, Rimfeld K, Krapohl E, Vuoksimaa E, Korhonen T, Bartels M, van Beijsterveldt TC, Rose RJ, Lundström S, Anckarsäter H, Kaprio J, Lichtenstein P, Boomsma DI, Plomin R. Aggressive behaviour in childhood and adolescence: the role of smoking during pregnancy, evidence from four twin cohorts in the EU-ACTION consortium. Psychol Med 2019; 49:646-654. [PMID: 29886849 PMCID: PMC6378412 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291718001344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal smoking during pregnancy (MSDP) has been linked to offspring's externalizing problems. It has been argued that socio-demographic factors (e.g. maternal age and education), co-occurring environmental risk factors, or pleiotropic genetic effects may account for the association between MSDP and later outcomes. This study provides a comprehensive investigation of the association between MSDP and a single harmonized component of externalizing: aggressive behaviour, measured throughout childhood and adolescence. METHODS Data came from four prospective twin cohorts - Twins Early Development Study, Netherlands Twin Register, Childhood and Adolescent Twin Study of Sweden, and FinnTwin12 study - who collaborate in the EU-ACTION consortium. Data from 30 708 unrelated individuals were analysed. Based on item level data, a harmonized measure of aggression was created at ages 9-10; 12; 14-15 and 16-18. RESULTS MSDP predicted aggression in childhood and adolescence. A meta-analysis across the four samples found the independent effect of MSDP to be 0.4% (r = 0.066), this remained consistent when analyses were performed separately by sex. All other perinatal factors combined explained 1.1% of the variance in aggression across all ages and samples (r = 0.112). Paternal smoking and aggressive parenting strategies did not account for the MSDP-aggression association, consistent with the hypothesis of a small direct link between MSDP and aggression. CONCLUSIONS Perinatal factors, including MSDP, account for a small portion of the variance in aggression in childhood and adolescence. Later experiences may play a greater role in shaping adolescents' aggressive behaviour.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Malanchini
- Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, United States
| | - Emily Smith-Woolley
- Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Ziada Ayorech
- Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Kaili Rimfeld
- Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Eva Krapohl
- Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Eero Vuoksimaa
- Institute for Molecular Medicine FIMM, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tellervo Korhonen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine FIMM, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Meike Bartels
- Department of Biological Psychology, Netherlands Twin Register, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Richard J. Rose
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, United States
| | - Sebastian Lundström
- Centre for Ethics, Law and Mental Health and the Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Gothenburg University, Sweden
| | - Henrik Anckarsäter
- Centre for Ethics, Law and Mental Health and the Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Gothenburg University, Sweden
| | - Jaakko Kaprio
- Institute for Molecular Medicine FIMM, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paul Lichtenstein
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Dorret I. Boomsma
- Department of Biological Psychology, Netherlands Twin Register, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Plomin
- Social Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Buck JM, Sanders KN, Wageman CR, Knopik VS, Stitzel JA, O'Neill HC. Developmental nicotine exposure precipitates multigenerational maternal transmission of nicotine preference and ADHD-like behavioral, rhythmometric, neuropharmacological, and epigenetic anomalies in adolescent mice. Neuropharmacology 2019; 149:66-82. [PMID: 30742847 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Maternal smoking during pregnancy, a form of developmental nicotine exposure (DNE), is associated with increased nicotine use and neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD in children. Here, we characterize the behavioral, rhythmometric, neuropharmacological, and epigenetic consequences of DNE in the F1 (first) and F2 (second) generation adolescent offspring of mice exposed to nicotine prior to and throughout breeding. We assessed the effects of passive oral methylphenidate (MPH) administration and voluntary nicotine consumption on home cage activity rhythms and activity and risk-taking behaviors in the open field. Results imply a multigenerational predisposition to nicotine consumption in DNE mice and demonstrate ADHD-like diurnal and nocturnal hyperactivity and anomalies in the rhythmicity of home cage activity that are reversibly rescued by MPH and modulated by voluntary nicotine consumption. DNE mice are hyperactive in the open field and display increased risk-taking behaviors that are normalized by MPH. Pharmacological characterization of nicotinic and dopaminergic systems in striatum and frontal cortex reveals altered expression and dysfunction of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), hypersensitivity to nicotine-induced nAChR-mediated dopamine release, and impaired dopamine transporter (DAT) function in DNE mice. Global DNA methylation assays indicate DNA methylome deficits in striatum and frontal cortex of DNE mice. Collectively, our data demonstrate that DNE enhances nicotine preference, elicits hyperactivity and risk-taking behaviors, perturbs the rhythmicity of activity, alters nAChR expression and function, impairs DAT function, and causes DNA hypomethylation in striatum and frontal cortex of both first and second-generation adolescent offspring. These findings recapitulate multiple domains of ADHD symptomatology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan M Buck
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, United States; Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, United States.
| | - Kelsey N Sanders
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, United States
| | - Charles R Wageman
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, United States
| | - Valerie S Knopik
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, United States
| | - Jerry A Stitzel
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, United States; Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, United States
| | - Heidi C O'Neill
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado, Boulder, United States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Micalizzi L, Knopik VS. Maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring executive function: What do we know and what are the next steps? Dev Psychopathol 2018; 30:1333-1354. [PMID: 29144227 PMCID: PMC6028309 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579417001687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Children exposed to maternal smoking during pregnancy (MSDP) exhibit difficulties in executive function (EF) from infancy through adolescence. Due to the developmental significance of EF as a predictor of adaptive functioning throughout the life span, the MSDP-EF relation has clear public health implications. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of the literature on the relationship between MSDP and offspring EF across development; consider brain-based assessments, animal models, and genetically informed studies in an effort to elucidate plausible pathways of effects; discuss implications for prevention and intervention; and make calls to action for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Micalizzi
- Division of Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University
| | - Valerie S. Knopik
- Division of Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Knopik VS, Marceau K, Bidwell LC, Rolan E. Prenatal substance exposure and offspring development: Does DNA methylation play a role? Neurotoxicol Teratol 2018; 71:50-63. [PMID: 29408446 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2018.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The period of in utero development is one of the most critical windows during which adverse conditions and exposures may influence the growth and development of the fetus as well as its future postnatal health and behavior. Maternal substance use during pregnancy remains a relatively common but nonetheless hazardous in utero exposure. For example, previous epidemiological studies have associated prenatal substance exposure with reduced birth weight, poor developmental and psychological outcomes, and increased risk for diseases and behavioral disorders (e.g., externalizing behaviors like ADHD, conduct disorder, and substance use) later in life. Researchers are now learning that many of the mechanisms whereby adverse in utero exposures may affect key pathways crucial for proper fetal growth and development are epigenetic in nature, with the majority of work in humans considering DNA methylation specifically. This review will explore the research to date on epigenetic alterations tied to maternal substance use during pregnancy and will also discuss the possible role of DNA methylation in the robust relationship between maternal substance use and later behavioral and developmental sequelae in offspring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valerie S Knopik
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
| | - Kristine Marceau
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - L Cinnamon Bidwell
- Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Emily Rolan
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Micalizzi L, Marceau K, Brick LA, Palmer RH, Todorov AA, Heath AC, Evans A, Knopik VS. Inhibitory control in siblings discordant for exposure to maternal smoking during pregnancy. Dev Psychol 2017; 54:199-208. [PMID: 29058937 DOI: 10.1037/dev0000423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Maternal smoking during pregnancy (SDP) has been linked to poorer offspring executive function across development, but SDP does not occur independent of other familial risk factors. As such, poor and inconsistent control for potential confounds, notably shared familial (i.e., genetic and environmental) confounds, preclude concluding causal effects of SDP on child outcomes. We examined the within-family association between SDP and one component of executive function, inhibitory control, in a sample of families (N = 173) specifically selected for sibling pairs discordant for exposure to SDP. Thus, the present study examines if the SDP-inhibitory control association withstands rigorous control for potential child and familial confounds. 79% of the variation in child inhibitory control was attributable to within-family differences and 21% was attributable to differences between families, indicating that the variability in inhibitory control was primarily a function of differences between siblings rather than differences across families. Further, the association between SDP and inhibitory control was fully attenuated when confounds were considered. These findings suggest that co-occurring vulnerabilities act as more salient risk factors for poorer child inhibitory control than SDP and may serve as effective targets of interventions seeking to improve children's inhibitory control in families with nicotine dependent mothers. (PsycINFO Database Record
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Micalizzi
- Division of Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital
| | - Kristine Marceau
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University
| | - Leslie A Brick
- Division of Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital
| | | | - Alexandre A Todorov
- Midwest Alcoholism Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine
| | - Andrew C Heath
- Midwest Alcoholism Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine
| | - Allison Evans
- Memorial Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University
| | - Valerie S Knopik
- Division of Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital
| |
Collapse
|