title: Individual Differences in Childhood Behavior Disorders Associated With Epigenetic Modulation of the Cortisol Receptor Gene.
abstract: Behavioral/emotional difficulties in children are the first sign of mental health problems. These problems are however, heterogeneous. A domain that may identify homogenous subgroups is hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function. This study tested whether epigenetic regulation of glucocorticoid receptor gene could explain the co-occurrence of anxiety problems in children with behavior problems. Four- to 16-year-old clinically referred children (N = 241) were measured for psychiatric symptoms, methylation of target CpG sites in blood or saliva, and morning cortisol levels in those who gave blood. Increased methylation of promoter 1F CpG sites was associated with higher vulnerability to co-occurring internalizing symptoms and morning cortisol. The results support increasing optimism that epigenetic regulation of key neuroendocrine systems might help explain hitherto unfathomable individual differences in susceptibility to psychiatric symptom profiles.
authors.affiliation: The University of New South Wales.
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Dadds
authors.affiliation: The University of New South Wales.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moul
authors.affiliation: The University of New South Wales.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hawes
authors.affiliation: The University of New South Wales.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mendoza Diaz
authors.affiliation: The University of New South Wales.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brennan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018899:CpG Islands; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: C497713:NR3C1 protein, human; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D006854:Hydrocortisone