Sex-specific DNA methylation signatures of autism spectrum disorder from whole genome bisulfite sequencing of newborn blood
Overall, we identified and replicated a sex-specific DNA methylation signature of ASD in newborn blood that supported the female protective effect and highlighted convergence of epigenetic and genetic signatures of ASD in newborns. Despite the study's limitations, particularly in female sample sizes, our results demonstrate the potential of newborn blood in ASD screening and emphasize the importance of sex-stratification in future studies.
Authors
- Yunin Ludeña
- George E Kuodza (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4889-0172)
- Piera M. Cirillo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4571-4544)
- Rebecca J. Schmidt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1582-2747)
- Dag H. Yasui (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1178-988X)
- Irva Hertz‐Picciotto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6952-2390)
- Michele A. La Merrill (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5720-5862)
- Barbara A. Cohn (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9912-8447)
- Nickilou Y. Krigbaum (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5034-7991)
- Sophia Hakam (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1465-6571)
- Julia S. Mouat (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1415-2534)
- Emily Thrall
- Julia Mellis
- Janine M. LaSalle (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3480-2031)
Institutions
- Public Health Institute (US)
- Berkeley Public Health Division (US)
- University of California, Davis (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Biology of Sex Differences
- Published
- 2025-04-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s13293-025-00712-9
- Citations
- 4
- Primary Topic
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 5.72
Funders
- U.S. Department of Defense
- National Institutes of Health
- University of California, Davis
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
- Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs