{"entity": "researcher", "timestamp": "2026-05-21T01:04:13.634Z", "family": "Skalkidou", "given": "Alkistis", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0000-0002-4935-7532", "affiliations": ["Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden."], "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/882f68bd159a46e5999dedb151bd7ea4.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/882f68bd159a46e5999dedb151bd7ea4"}}, "publications": [{"entity": "publication", "iuid": "dffda432f1054b6f8ea80e9334d16429", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/dffda432f1054b6f8ea80e9334d16429.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/dffda432f1054b6f8ea80e9334d16429"}}, "title": "Association of estrogen receptor single nucleotide polymorphisms and perinatal depression.", "authors": [{"family": "Bj\u00f6rvang", "given": "Richelle Duque", "initials": "RD", "orcid": "0000-0002-3619-2257", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/8b75b9d528fc43c8b15873f25b0cdf85.json"}}, {"family": "Gumbo", "given": "Lulu Francis", "initials": "LF"}, {"family": "\u00c5rdahl", "given": "Anders", "initials": "A"}, {"family": "Lager", "given": "Susanne", "initials": "S", "orcid": "0000-0003-3556-065X", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/d162155439a04158b451bcb3265881e3.json"}}, {"family": "Comasco", "given": "Erika", "initials": "E", "orcid": "0000-0002-2174-2068", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/4f10cd12fd8e4c529264697930ac87b7.json"}}, {"family": "Fransson", "given": "Emma", "initials": "E", "orcid": "0000-0001-9010-8522", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/8c05290187ec426b8804eefc3d954971.json"}}, {"family": "Skalkidou", "given": "Alkistis", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0000-0002-4935-7532", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/882f68bd159a46e5999dedb151bd7ea4.json"}}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2025-10-16", "journal": {"title": "PLoS ONE", "issn": "1932-6203", "volume": "20", "issue": "10", "pages": "e0334705", "issn-l": "1932-6203"}, "abstract": "Depression during pregnancy and in the postpartum period have been receiving increasing attention considering the possible complications for the mother and baby if left untreated. Genetic variations in the estrogen receptor genes (ESR) have been implicated in susceptibility to depression. However, only few studies investigated them in perinatal depression (PND) and none on its different trajectories (i.e., patterns of time of onset and persistency of depression). Here, we explored the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the ESR1 and ESR2 genes with PND among 2,973 women in Sweden. PND was defined using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Depression Self-Rating Scale, use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, and/or medical records. PND trajectories were identified as follows: controls (no depression at any point in the perinatal period), antepartum (depression during pregnancy and resolved postpartum), postpartum-onset (no depression during pregnancy with onset after delivery), and persistent (depression throughout the perinatal period). Multivariable logistic regression was performed. Out of 56 SNPs analyzed, one SNP in the ESR1 gene (rs2982712) was nominally significantly associated with PND (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.71-0.98, p = 0.03) as well as with persistent depression (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.61-0.98, p = 0.03) in the overdominant model (DD/dd vs. Dd). In addition, we also found two SNPs, namely rs1884051 (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.56-0.98, p = 0.03) and rs2228480 (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.60-0.99, p = 0.04) in the ESR1 gene, that were nominally significantly associated with persistent depression only. None of the ESR1 SNPs were associated with antepartum or postpartum-onset depression. None of the ESR2 SNPs, nor any haplotypes, were associated with PND or its trajectories. Our findings suggest a role of ESR1 in PND, especially its persistent trajectory.", "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0334705", "pmid": "41100533", "labels": {"Erika Comasco": null, "SciLifeLab Fellow": null}, "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC12530586"}, {"db": "pii", "key": "PONE-D-24-49872"}], "notes": [], "created": "2025-10-21T07:34:37.924Z", "modified": "2025-11-04T09:38:42.784Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "34f4eb7220ae4fc88136072da6c6f98a", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/34f4eb7220ae4fc88136072da6c6f98a.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/34f4eb7220ae4fc88136072da6c6f98a"}}, "title": "Differentially expressed transcripts associated with depressive symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum.", "authors": [{"family": "Bj\u00f6rvang", "given": "Richelle D", "initials": "RD"}, {"family": "Vrettou", "given": "Maria", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Bujanda Cundin", "given": "Xabier", "initials": "X", "orcid": "0009-0004-4660-7251", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/49431807b7634b1cabf3430ed69d9e40.json"}}, {"family": "Del Prete", "given": "Eugenio", "initials": "E", "orcid": "0000-0003-3214-9021", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/d30251102dd3473a9643aac5c9721d5d.json"}}, {"family": "R\u00fcegg", "given": "Jo\u00eblle", "initials": "J", "orcid": "0000-0002-6580-9201", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/10e7c07b9a4646d9858532dc1f24f889.json"}}, {"family": "Lager", "given": "Susanne", "initials": "S", "orcid": "0000-0003-3556-065X", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/d162155439a04158b451bcb3265881e3.json"}}, {"family": "di Bernardo", "given": "Diego", "initials": "D", "orcid": "0000-0002-1911-7407", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/5aca698b815347848a786f6cd47c25a3.json"}}, {"family": "Comasco", "given": "Erika", "initials": "E", "orcid": "0000-0002-2174-2068", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/4f10cd12fd8e4c529264697930ac87b7.json"}}, {"family": "Skalkidou", "given": "Alkistis", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0000-0002-4935-7532", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/882f68bd159a46e5999dedb151bd7ea4.json"}}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2025-06-05", "journal": {"title": "Mol. Psychiatry", "issn": "1476-5578", "issn-l": "1359-4184"}, "abstract": "Peripartum depression can have severe impact on the mother's and the infant's health. Yet, its biological underpinnings are largely unknown. The present study sought to identify transcriptomic signatures of depressive symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum. Blood samples were collected during late pregnancy or early postpartum for mRNA isolation and sequencing, while depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Based on the timepoint when the samples were collected, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by (1) comparing mRNA levels between the depression symptom trajectory groups, and (2) correlating with EPDS scores. DEGs for samples collected during late pregnancy, but not postpartum, were associated with depressive symptoms occurring only during pregnancy or persisting postpartum, compared with controls. There were 16 upregulated and 109 downregulated DEGs significantly associated with EPDS score at week 32 among samples collected during late pregnancy. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis identified immune response and cell motility as processes linked to these DEGs. Hypothesis-based analysis on previously identified postpartum depressive symptoms-related DEGs replicated a positive association between expression of immune-related genes ISG15 and RSAD2 with postpartum-onset depressive symptoms, both in samples taken during late pregnancy and postpartum. The present findings point to transcriptomic signatures associated with peripartum depressive symptoms, mostly related to immune system dysregulation.", "doi": "10.1038/s41380-025-03068-z", "pmid": "40473930", "labels": {"SciLifeLab Fellow": null, "Erika Comasco": null}, "xrefs": [{"db": "pii", "key": "10.1038/s41380-025-03068-z"}], "notes": [], "created": "2025-07-24T19:48:32.487Z", "modified": "2025-07-24T19:48:32.774Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "935ae35dd7f14a4f9bf49e709c6682ba", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/935ae35dd7f14a4f9bf49e709c6682ba.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/935ae35dd7f14a4f9bf49e709c6682ba"}}, "title": "Trajectories and dimensional phenotypes of depressive symptoms throughout pregnancy and postpartum in relation to prior premenstrual symptoms.", "authors": [{"family": "Schleimann-Jensen", "given": "Ella", "initials": "E"}, {"family": "Sundstr\u00f6m-Poromaa", "given": "Inger", "initials": "I"}, {"family": "Meltzer-Brody", "given": "Samantha", "initials": "S"}, {"family": "Eisenlohr-Moul", "given": "Tory A", "initials": "TA"}, {"family": "Papadopoulos", "given": "Fotis C", "initials": "FC"}, {"family": "Skalkidou", "given": "Alkistis", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0000-0002-4935-7532", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/882f68bd159a46e5999dedb151bd7ea4.json"}}, {"family": "Comasco", "given": "Erika", "initials": "E", "orcid": "0000-0002-2174-2068", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/4f10cd12fd8e4c529264697930ac87b7.json"}}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2025-06-00", "journal": {"title": "Br J Psychiatry", "issn": "1472-1465", "volume": "226", "issue": "6", "pages": "401-409", "issn-l": null}, "abstract": "Sensitivity to ovarian hormone fluctuations can lead to mental distress during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, such as in premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and also during pregnancy and postpartum, as in perinatal depression (PND).\n\nIn two cohorts, we investigated the relationship between history of PMS/PMDD and PND symptoms. We also examined how premenstrual symptoms are associated with perinatal symptom trajectories and dimensional phenotypes of PND symptoms, which remains unidentified.\n\nFrom early pregnancy until 6 months postpartum, participants of two large longitudinal cohorts were followed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Premenstrual symptoms were self-reported retrospectively.\n\nBoth pre-pregnancy PMS and PMDD were associated with higher EPDS scores across pregnancy and postpartum, even after adjustment for confounders. The odds of developing PND were higher among those reporting PMS and PMDD, ranging up to 1.68 (95% CI 1.25-2.29) (6-13 weeks postpartum) and 3.05 (95% CI 2.26-4.10) (late pregnancy) respectively for PMS and PMDD, throughout the perinatal period. Premenstrual symptomatology was associated more with certain PND trajectories based on the time of occurrence and persistence of symptoms. However, PND symptom severity did not differ depending on premenstrual symptomatology in any trajectory. Prior PMS/PMDD was associated with underlying dimensions of symptom constructs of PND, including severe and moderate symptoms of depressed mood, anxiety and anhedonia.\n\nWomen with a history of PMS/PMDD require coordinated care by psychiatrists, other mental health clinicians, midwives and gynaecologists during pregnancy as well as postpartum.", "doi": "10.1192/bjp.2025.38", "pmid": "40538355", "labels": {"SciLifeLab Fellow": null, "Erika Comasco": null}, "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC12257281"}, {"db": "pii", "key": "S0007125025000388"}], "notes": [], "created": "2025-07-24T19:46:59.658Z", "modified": "2025-09-09T09:29:15.693Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "c432e16534c042828949dad3d3c7d52e", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/c432e16534c042828949dad3d3c7d52e.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/c432e16534c042828949dad3d3c7d52e"}}, "title": "Predicting allergy and postpartum depression from an incomplete compositional microbiome", "authors": [{"family": "Shternshis", "given": "Andrey", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0000-0002-9299-369X", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/c813415242504d84878495f76514059a.json"}}, {"family": "Tong", "given": "Bangzhuo", "initials": "B", "orcid": "0000-0002-5463-5699", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/95b7213f0ed449718c2bd47c2ab0bd0e.json"}}, {"family": "Skalkidou", "given": "Alkistis", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0000-0002-4935-7532", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/882f68bd159a46e5999dedb151bd7ea4.json"}}, {"family": "W\u00e4hlby", "given": "Carolina", "initials": "C", "orcid": "0000-0002-4139-7003", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/833afe3444d84c24be12ea1468563bea.json"}}, {"family": "Zachariah", "given": "Dave", "initials": "D", "orcid": "0000-0002-6698-0166", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/76aa850a94d44237b89940bf4d007a6e.json"}}, {"family": "Hugerth", "given": "Luisa W", "initials": "LW", "orcid": "0000-0001-5432-1764", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/246ed7b405dd4c3f9ec5e7ff9f1d3ade.json"}}, {"family": "Singh", "given": "Prashant", "initials": "P", "orcid": "0000-0002-3123-3478", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/f19f17dbc48047f98bf209175b935bc3.json"}}], "type": "posted-content", "published": "2025-03-06", "journal": {"issn-l": null}, "abstract": null, "doi": "10.1101/2025.02.28.640766", "pmid": null, "labels": {"Prashant Singh": null, "SciLifeLab Fellow": null}, "xrefs": [], "notes": [], "created": "2025-11-28T05:42:26.583Z", "modified": "2025-12-05T10:16:41.017Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "2a54a3741bd94b2599cceeeaade89b7e", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/2a54a3741bd94b2599cceeeaade89b7e.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/2a54a3741bd94b2599cceeeaade89b7e"}}, "title": "Emotion regulation-based internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for premenstrual dysphoric disorder: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial in Sweden.", "authors": [{"family": "Hoppe", "given": "Johanna M", "initials": "JM", "orcid": "0000-0003-1214-2586", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/6fe1f567f38d4e5d8dda446432dd7969.json"}}, {"family": "Weise", "given": "Cornelia", "initials": "C"}, {"family": "Kleinstaeuber", "given": "Maria", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Skalkidou", "given": "Alkistis", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0000-0002-4935-7532", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/882f68bd159a46e5999dedb151bd7ea4.json"}}, {"family": "Vegelius", "given": "Johan", "initials": "J"}, {"family": "Comasco", "given": "Erika", "initials": "E", "orcid": "0000-0002-2174-2068", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/4f10cd12fd8e4c529264697930ac87b7.json"}}, {"family": "Gr\u00f6ndal", "given": "Maria", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Kaltsouni", "given": "Elisavet", "initials": "E"}, {"family": "Sundstr\u00f6m", "given": "Felicia", "initials": "F"}, {"family": "Sampaio", "given": "Filipa", "initials": "F"}, {"family": "Andersson", "given": "Gerhard", "initials": "G"}, {"family": "Buhrman", "given": "Monica", "initials": "M"}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2025-01-22", "journal": {"title": "BMJ Open", "issn": "2044-6055", "volume": "15", "issue": "1", "pages": "e091649", "issn-l": "2044-6055"}, "abstract": "Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a cyclic mood disorder affecting around 2%-5% of women of reproductive age. Pharmacological interventions exist, but many patients with PMDD experience residual symptoms, discontinue medications or refrain from them due to side effects. Thus, non-pharmacological treatments are needed as an alternative or additive treatment strategy. Evidence indicates that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a promising candidate. However, further research is required to establish its efficacy and identify ways to improve the treatment. Specifically, incorporating components targeting emotional and interpersonal dysregulation could theoretically enhance its effects. Furthermore, increasing the generally low accessibility of CBT for PMDD necessitates scalable and cost-effective ways to deliver treatment. The current study aims to evaluate the effects and cost-effectiveness of an internet-delivered CBT (ICBT) intervention for PMDD incorporating skills training in emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness.\n\nThe study is a parallel two-group randomised controlled trial with 1:1 allocation to 8 weeks of therapist-guided ICBT or a waitlist control condition. Following recruitment and inclusion, 164 individuals aged 18-45 years who fulfil the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders-5 criteria for PMDD will be randomly assigned to the two groups. Primary outcomes are pretreatment to post-treatment group differences in premenstrual symptoms and their impact on everyday life, as well as psychological and functional impairment during the premenstrual phase. Secondary outcomes include treatment effects on quality of life and difficulties in emotion regulation. Long-term treatment effects will be assessed 6 and 12 months postintervention. Data will be analysed using latent Gaussian process modelling and linear mixed models. The economic evaluation will analyse individual-level societal costs and outcomes between trial arms. Recruitment is expected to begin in February 2025, with study completion anticipated by February 2028.\n\nThe study has been approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (2023-00655-01). Results will be disseminated via presentations and publications in international journals and national outlets for clinicians and patients with PMDD.\n\nPS2024_v1.\n\nNCT06496139.", "doi": "10.1136/bmjopen-2024-091649", "pmid": "39843366", "labels": {"SciLifeLab Fellow": null, "Erika Comasco": null}, "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC11784203"}, {"db": "pii", "key": "bmjopen-2024-091649"}, {"db": "ClinicalTrials.gov", "key": "NCT06496139"}], "notes": [], "created": "2025-07-24T19:48:34.969Z", "modified": "2025-11-04T14:25:07.879Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "4b1f09d2fc07476997dfb4aa2d37577f", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/4b1f09d2fc07476997dfb4aa2d37577f.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/4b1f09d2fc07476997dfb4aa2d37577f"}}, "title": "Peripartum depression symptom trajectories, telomere length and genotype, and adverse childhood experiences.", "authors": [{"family": "Vrettou", "given": "Maria", "initials": "M"}, {"family": "Lager", "given": "Susanne", "initials": "S", "orcid": "0000-0003-3556-065X", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/d162155439a04158b451bcb3265881e3.json"}}, {"family": "Toffoletto", "given": "Simone", "initials": "S"}, {"family": "Iliadis", "given": "Stavros I", "initials": "SI"}, {"family": "Kallak", "given": "Theodora Kunovac", "initials": "TK", "orcid": "0000-0002-2112-8674", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/6379c3c4a4d14c31af9a62bc3c41d656.json"}}, {"family": "Agnafors", "given": "Sara", "initials": "S", "orcid": "0000-0002-6760-7902", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/9b3f27397a434f21a21922c5d19412b3.json"}}, {"family": "Nieratschker", "given": "Vanessa", "initials": "V"}, {"family": "Skalkidou", "given": "Alkistis", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0000-0002-4935-7532", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/882f68bd159a46e5999dedb151bd7ea4.json"}}, {"family": "Comasco", "given": "Erika", "initials": "E", "orcid": "0000-0002-2174-2068", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/4f10cd12fd8e4c529264697930ac87b7.json"}}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2024-10-08", "journal": {"title": "BMC Psychiatry", "issn": "1471-244X", "volume": "24", "issue": "1", "pages": "661", "issn-l": "1471-244X"}, "abstract": "As a biological marker for cellular senescence, telomere length (TL) has been linked to a variety of psychiatric disorders and adverse childhood experiences (ACE), though only preliminarily to peripartum depression (PPD). The present study sought to examine the association between TL and PPD, assessing the moderating role of ACE and genetic polymorphic variations related with the telomere machinery.\n\nAdversity was self-reported, likewise were depressive symptoms evaluated at pregnancy week 17 and 32, as well as six-weeks and six-months postpartum. TL was assessed by use of qPCR in blood samples collected during delivery from females with antenatal depression resolving postpartum, females with depression persisting to postpartum, and healthy controls. Twenty haplotype-tagging Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) and three in the Telomerase RNA Component (TERC) genes were genotyped.\n\nTL was negatively correlated with severity of PPD symptoms at pregnancy week 32 and postpartum week 6. PPD was associated with shorter TL. Lastly, ACE, but not the TERT/TERC genotype, moderated the TL-trajectory association; with increasing ACE, individuals with persistent PPD symptoms had shorter TL, whereas the opposite pattern (longer TL) was observed in the controls.\n\nThe findings contribute to further understanding of PPD underpinnings, suggesting a negative relationship with TL.", "doi": "10.1186/s12888-024-06115-1", "pmid": "39379870", "labels": {"Erika Comasco": null, "SciLifeLab Fellow": null}, "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC11462957"}, {"db": "pii", "key": "10.1186/s12888-024-06115-1"}], "notes": [], "created": "2024-10-24T08:50:36.393Z", "modified": "2025-07-24T19:48:41.295Z"}, {"entity": "publication", "iuid": "67e4738c4c5e49f3a2faba3e1f50064e", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/67e4738c4c5e49f3a2faba3e1f50064e.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/67e4738c4c5e49f3a2faba3e1f50064e"}}, "title": "Maternal prenatal depressive symptoms and toddler behavior: an umbilical cord blood epigenome-wide association study.", "authors": [{"family": "Kallak", "given": "Theodora Kunovac", "initials": "TK", "orcid": "0000-0002-2112-8674", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/6379c3c4a4d14c31af9a62bc3c41d656.json"}}, {"family": "Fransson", "given": "Emma", "initials": "E"}, {"family": "Br\u00e4nn", "given": "Emma", "initials": "E", "orcid": "0000-0001-9664-7973", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/f7bc9e06cfd148ff8f7d5ca43e3d3d28.json"}}, {"family": "Berglund", "given": "Hanna", "initials": "H"}, {"family": "Lager", "given": "Susanne", "initials": "S", "orcid": "0000-0003-3556-065X", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/d162155439a04158b451bcb3265881e3.json"}}, {"family": "Comasco", "given": "Erika", "initials": "E", "orcid": "0000-0002-2174-2068", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/4f10cd12fd8e4c529264697930ac87b7.json"}}, {"family": "Lyle", "given": "Robert", "initials": "R"}, {"family": "Skalkidou", "given": "Alkistis", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0000-0002-4935-7532", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/882f68bd159a46e5999dedb151bd7ea4.json"}}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2022-05-05", "journal": {"title": "Transl Psychiatry", "issn": "2158-3188", "volume": "12", "issue": "1", "pages": "186", "issn-l": "2158-3188"}, "abstract": "Children of mothers with prenatal depressive symptoms (PND) have a higher risk of behavioral problems; fetal programming through DNA methylation is a possible underlying mechanism. This study investigated DNA methylation in cord blood to identify possible \"at birth\" signatures that may indicate susceptibility to behavioral problems at 18 months of age. Cord blood was collected from 256 children of mothers who had self-reported on symptoms of depression during pregnancy and the behavior of their child at 18 months of age. Whole genome DNA methylation was assessed using Illumina MethylationEPIC assay. The mother and child pairs were categorized into four groups, based on both self-reported depressive symptoms, PND or Healthy control (HC), and scores from the Child Behavior checklist (high or low for internalizing, externalizing, and total scores). Adjustments were made for batch effects, cell-type, and clinical covariates. Differentially methylated sites were identified using Kruskal-Wallis test, and Benjamini-Hochberg adjusted p values < 0.05 were considered significant. The analysis was also stratified by sex of the child. Among boys, we observed higher and correlated DNA methylation of one CpG-site in the promoter region of TPP1 in the HC group, with high externalizing scores compared to HC with low externalizing scores. Boys in the PND group showed lower DNA methylation in NUDT15 among those with high, compared to low, internalizing scores; the DNA methylation levels of CpGs in this gene were positively correlated with the CBCL scores. Hence, the differentially methylated CpG sites could be of interest for resilience, regardless of maternal mental health during pregnancy. The findings are in a relatively healthy study cohort, thus limiting the possibility of detecting strong effects associated with behavioral difficulties. This is the first investigation of cord blood DNA methylation signs of fetal programming of PND on child behavior at 18 months of age and thus calls for independent replications.", "doi": "10.1038/s41398-022-01954-6", "pmid": "35513368", "labels": {"SciLifeLab Fellow": null, "Erika Comasco": null}, "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC9072531"}, {"db": "pii", "key": "10.1038/s41398-022-01954-6"}], "notes": [], "created": "2022-11-10T20:57:24.332Z", "modified": "2024-10-24T08:55:06.783Z"}]}