Challenges in Analyzing Functional Epigenetic Data in Perspective of Adolescent Psychiatric Health
Department of Surgical Sciences, Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
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Academic Editors: Pawel Karpinski and Maria M. Sasiadek
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(10), 5856; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23105856
Received: 14 April 2022
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Revised: 11 May 2022
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Accepted: 18 May 2022
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Published: 23 May 2022
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epigenetic Mechanisms and Human Pathology 2.0)
The formative period of adolescence plays a crucial role in the development of skills and abilities for adulthood. Adolescents who are affected by mental health conditions are at risk of suicide and social and academic impairments. Gene–environment complementary contributions to the molecular mechanisms involved in psychiatric disorders have emphasized the need to analyze epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation (DNAm) and non-coding RNAs. However, the large and diverse bioinformatic and statistical methods, referring to the confounders of the statistical models, application of multiple-testing adjustment methods, questions regarding the correlation of DNAm across tissues, and sex-dependent differences in results, have raised challenges regarding the interpretation of the results. Based on the example of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depressive disorder (MDD), we shed light on the current knowledge and usage of methodological tools in analyzing epigenetics. Statistical robustness is an essential prerequisite for a better understanding and interpretation of epigenetic modifications and helps to find novel targets for personalized therapeutics in psychiatric diseases.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Manu, D.M.; Mwinyi, J.; Schiöth, H.B. Challenges in Analyzing Functional Epigenetic Data in Perspective of Adolescent Psychiatric Health. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 5856. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23105856
AMA Style
Manu DM, Mwinyi J, Schiöth HB. Challenges in Analyzing Functional Epigenetic Data in Perspective of Adolescent Psychiatric Health. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022; 23(10):5856. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23105856
Chicago/Turabian StyleManu, Diana M., Jessica Mwinyi, and Helgi B. Schiöth. 2022. "Challenges in Analyzing Functional Epigenetic Data in Perspective of Adolescent Psychiatric Health" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23, no. 10: 5856. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23105856
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