Cited by 244Epigenetics and DNA MethylationBirth, Development, and HealthHealth, Environment, Cognitive Aging

Prospects for epigenetic epidemiology

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Foley, D. L., Craig, J. M., Morley, R., Olsson, C. J., Dwyer, T., Smith, K., Saffery, R.·2008·American Journal of Epidemiology

Abstract

Epigenetic modification can mediate environmental influences on gene expression and can modulate the disease risk associated with genetic variation. Epigenetic analysis therefore holds substantial promise for identifying mechanisms through which genetic and environmental factors jointly contribute to disease risk. The spatial and temporal variance in epigenetic profile is of particular relevance for developmental epidemiology and the study of aging, including the variable age at onset for many common diseases. This review serves as a general introduction to the topic by describing epigenetic mechanisms, with a focus on DNA methylation; genetic and environmental factors that influence DNA methylation; epigenetic influences on development, aging, and disease; and current methodology for measuring epigenetic profile. Methodological considerations for epidemiologic studies that seek to include epigenetic analysis are also discussed.

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Crossref · 10.1093/aje/kwn380

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  • Studying the epigenome in well-characterized samples may enable discovery of novel genes and pathways through which genetic factors and environmental exposures influence disease initiation and development, providing new targets for prevention and treatment.

    “Studying the epigenome in the well-characterized samples may enable us to discover novel genes and pathways through which genetic factors and environmental exposures influence disease initiation and development, and thereby provide new targets for prevention and treatment”

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  1. Ballestar E, Esteller M. epigenetic gene regulation in cancer. Adv Genet. 2008;61:247-267.

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Authors
Foley, D. L., Craig, J. M., Morley, R., Olsson, C. J., Dwyer, T., Smith, K., & Saffery, R.
Affiliations
  • The University of Melbourne (AU)
  • Royal Children's Hospital (AU)
Corresponding author
Saffery, R.
Venue
American Journal of Epidemiology
Published
2008-12-13
Volume
169
Issue
4
Pages
389-400
ISSN
  • 0002-9262 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-6256
OpenAlex
W2142396486
Cited by
244
References
182
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 32
FWCI
1.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • American Journal of Epidemiology (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Deakin Research Online (Deakin University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Birth, Development, and Health
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Health, Environment, Cognitive Aging
Keywords
epigenetic epidemiology, DNA methylation, gene-environment interaction, gene expression regulation, developmental epidemiology, aging, age of onset, disease risk
MeSH terms
Aging, Animals, Environment, Environmental Exposure, Humans, Neoplasms, Risk Factors, Gene Expression, Molecular Epidemiology, DNA Methylation, Epigenesis, Genetic

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