Open AccessMaternal anxiety and depression in pregnancy and DNA methylation of the NR3C1 glucocorticoid receptor gene
Author(s) -
Alexandra E. Dereix,
Rachel Ledyard,
Allyson M. Redhunt,
Tessa R. Bloomquist,
Kasey Brennan,
Andrea A. Baccarelli,
Michele R. Hacker,
Heather H. Burris
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
epigenomics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.265
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1750-1911
pISSN - 1750-192X
DOI - 10.2217/epi-2020-0022
Subject(s) - dna methylation , anxiety , methylation , glucocorticoid receptor , pregnancy , edinburgh postnatal depression scale , depression (economics) , cpg site , medicine , biology , obstetrics , endocrinology , glucocorticoid , psychiatry , postpartum depression , gene , genetics , gene expression , macroeconomics , economics
Aim: To quantify associations of anxiety and depression during pregnancy with differential cord blood DNA methylation of the glucorticoid receptor ( NR3C1 ). Materials & methods: Pregnancy anxiety, trait anxiety and depressive symptoms were collected using the Pregnancy Related Anxiety Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Index and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, respectively. NR3C1 methylation was determined at four methylation sites. Results: DNA methylation of CpG1 in the NR3C1 CpG island shore was higher in infants born to women with high pregnancy anxiety (β 2.54, 95% CI: 0.49-4.58) and trait anxiety (β 1.68, 95% CI: 0.14-3.22). No significant association was found between depressive symptoms and NR3C1 methylation. Conclusion: We found that maternal anxiety was associated with increased NR3C1 CpG island shore methylation.