title: Epigenetics in Schizophrenia: A Pilot Study of Global DNA Methylation in Different Brain Regions Associated with Higher Cognitive Functions.
abstract: Attempts to discover genes that are involved in the pathogenesis of major psychiatric disorders have been frustrating and often fruitless. Concern is building about the need to understand the complex ways in which nature and nurture interact to produce mental illness. We analyze the epigenome in several brain regions from schizophrenic patients with severe cognitive impairment using high-resolution (450K) DNA methylation array. We identified 139 differentially methylated CpG sites included in known and novel candidate genes sequences as well as in and intergenic sequences which functions remain unknown. We found that altered DNA methylation is not restricted to a particular region, but includes others such as CpG shelves and gene bodies, indicating the presence of different DNA methylation signatures depending on the brain area analyzed. Our findings suggest that epimutations are not relatables between different tissues or even between tissues' regions, highlighting the need to adequately study brain samples to obtain reliable data concerning the epigenetics of schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of AlcaláMadrid, Spain; Laboratory for Neuroscience of Mental Disorders Elena Pessino, Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, School of Medicine, University of AlcaláMadrid, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, CIBERSAM, IRYCIS, Hospital Ramón y CajalMadrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Raúl
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alelú-Paz
authors.affiliation: Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Carmona
authors.affiliation: Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: José V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Sanchez-Mut
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Neuroscience of Mental Disorders Elena Pessino, Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Ariel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cariaga-Martínez
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: González-Corpas
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ashour
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Orea
authors.affiliation: Neurological Brain Bank, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Escanilla
authors.affiliation: Neurological Brain Bank, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Monje
authors.affiliation: Biobank-Brain Bank of University Hospital Alcorcón Foundation Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guerrero Márquez
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, CIBERSAM, IRYCIS, Hospital Ramón y Cajal Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Jerónimo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saiz-Ruiz
authors.affiliation: Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, L'Hospitalet de LlobregatBarcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis AvançatsBarcelona, Spain; Department of Physiological Sciences II, School of Medicine, University of BarcelonaBarcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Manel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Esteller
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Unit, Department of Systems Biology, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ropero
keywords: DNA methylation; cognition; epigenetics; executive function; human brain; memory; psychology; schizophrenia