Epigenetics in the remission of anorexia nervosa: A follow-up study of whole-genome methylation profiles

Abstract

IntroductionAnorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder. The epigenetic regulations are strongly suggested in AN. We and other groups have performed a whole-genome methylation study (methylome) in AN. We found that the differentially methylated CpG sites are located around genes involved in biological processes in link with embryonic morphogenesis, brain development and its plasticity, in particular adhesion and axon guidance. Here, we study an independent group of 40 AN patients. Furthermore, we have done a follow-up during more than one year, to compare the methylation profiles in subjects that evolve to the remission.ObjectivesOur work is to replicate the methylome study in an independent AN cohort and to characterize profiles of methylation at two times for the same subjects to compare the AN patients that convert to remitters.AimsOur goal is to identify diagnostic and prognostic epigenetic signatures for AN.MethodsOf the 40 AN patients, 18 evolved to remission. Furthermore, the blood samples of the subjects from the 2 times will be investigated, like this, each subject is its own control. Methylation of DNA is measured by using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip technology.ResultsComparisons of AN to controls showed similar profiles of methylation involving the same biological processes as previously identified. We are comparing now the difference of methylation between the 18 remitters and the 18 actual AN, taking into account of the two times of samples.ConclusionsWe expect to characterize specific methylation signature of the prognostic of the AN remission.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.