Epigenetic age dysregulation in individuals with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SCZ) are debilitating disorders that are associated with significant burden and reduced quality of life. In this study, we leveraged microarray data derived from both the Illumina HumanMethylation450 platform to investigate the epigenetic age of individuals with SCZ (n = 40), BD (n = 40), and healthy controls (n = 38), across five epigenetic clocks. Various statistical metrics were used to identify discrepancies between epigenetic and chronological age across the three groups.

Childhood trauma exposure and personality traits in schizophrenia patients.

Childhood trauma in schizophrenia (SCZ) is associated with aberrant neurobiological downstream effects and cognitive deficits that markedly hinder patient outcome and functioning. However, the relationship between specific forms of childhood abuse and the tendency for certain personality traits in patients with SCZ has not been comprehensively studied yet. We recruited 374 SCZ patients and screened for history of physical abuse (PA), emotional abuse (EA), sexual abuse (SA), physical neglect (PN) and emotional neglect (EN) using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and measured personality traits using the NEO Five-Factor inventory.

Epigenetics of Schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a chronic psychotic disorder that contributes significantly to disability, affecting behavior, thought, and cognition. It has long been known that there is a heritable component to schizophrenia; studies in both the pre-genomic and post-genomic era, however, have failed to elucidate fully the genetic basis for this complex disease. Epigenetic processes - broadly, those which contribute to changes in gene expression without altering the genetic code itself - may help to understand better the mechanisms leading to development of SCZ.

Biological aging in schizophrenia and psychosis severity: DNA methylation analysis.

The physiological changes associated with normal aging are known to occur earlier in individuals with schizophrenia (SCZ). One of the phenomena linked with normal aging is the change in patterns of epigenetic modifications. We recruited 138 individuals with SCZ spectrum disorders and extracted DNA from white blood cells.

Early onset schizophrenia: Gender analysis of genome-wide potential methylation.

Introduction: Methylation studies show that there are substantial gender differences in DNA methylation. On the other hand, in schizophrenia male gender is strongly associated with early onset. The primary aims of the current study are: 1) to identify CpG SNPs across the genome in schizophrenia patients; and 2) to investigate gender differences in potential methylation considering the CpG SNPs at locus, gene and chromosome levels.

The effect of lifetime adversities on resistance to antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia patients.

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine whether there is an association between cumulative life adversities and treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Methods: We recruited 186 participants diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Adverse life-events were assessed using the Stressful Life Events Screening Questionnaire (SLESQ) and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ).