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Genetic research

Advances in Psychology: New Study on PIEZO1 DNA Methylation in Infants with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research conducted by scientists at the Scientific Institute in Bosisio Parini, Italy, has shed new light on the genetic mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders (NDs) in infants. The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, focused on the role of PIEZO1 DNA methylation in infants with NDs. The researchers found that PIEZO1 methylation levels were lower in infants with NDs compared to typically developing infants, suggesting hypomethylation as a potential epigenetic mark. This finding has significant implications for identifying underlying mechanisms involved in the onset of NDs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study explored PIEZO1 DNA methylation in 15 CpG sites in 24 infants with NDs and 22 infants with typical development (TD) aged between 3 and 36 months.
  • Principal component analysis (PCA) yielded two factors: principal component1 (PC1) comprising 7 CpG sites and principal component2 (PC2) comprising 8 CpG sites.
  • DNAm levels were lower in infants with NDs compared to TD, indicating hypomethylation in the clinical group.
  • The researchers speculate that PIEZO1 hypomethylation could contribute to the poorer mechanical properties of brain tissue in infants with NDs by altering Piezo1 expression patterns.
  • This study suggests that PIEZO1 DNA methylation status could serve as an early epigenetic marker of NDs, offering promising implications for identifying underlying mechanisms involved in their onset.

Statistics:

  • 24 infants with NDs and 22 infants with TD were included in the study.
  • 15 CpG sites were assessed for PIEZO1 methylation.
  • DNAm levels in PC2 were significantly lower in infants with NDs compared to TD (-0.43 vs. -0.15, p < 0.01).
  • The study suggests a potential link between PIEZO1 hypomethylation and the mechanical properties of brain tissue in infants with NDs.

Sources:

  • Frontiers in Psychology, 2025,16, article Exploring PIEZO1 DNA methylation in infants with neurodevelopmental disorders (https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1593609).
  • Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, 0-3 Center for the at-Risk Infant, Bosisio Parini, Italy.
  • NewsRx LLC, Life Science Weekly, August 19, 2025.

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