Each month, we will highlight a paper published in Aging-US chosen as the “Editors’ Choice.” These selections are handpicked by our editors and accompanied by a brief summary, showcasing research with significant impact and novel insights in aging and age-related diseases.
The results of studies revealed in the paper published in Volume 17, Issue 12, titled “Age-specific DNA methylation alterations in sperm at imprint control regions may contribute to the risk of autism spectrum disorder in offspring,” indicate that advanced paternal age increases the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, potentially due to sperm epigenetic changes.
To explore this, the authors performed an epigenome-wide association study on sperm from 63 men using the Illumina 450K array, identifying 14,622 age-related differentially methylated CpGs (DMCs), with many linked to imprinted genes and imprint control regions (ICRs). These alterations may disrupt gene expression and contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders like ASD. Several imprinted genes identified—including OTX1, PRDM16, and others—are associated with ASD, warranting further research into their role in paternal age effects on autism.
Further genetic research may clarify how paternal age affects autism. Changes in DNA methylation within ICRs before conception could add to ASD’s complexity. Though measured effects were small, even minor sperm epigenetic changes could influence populations as fatherhood is delayed. Preventive and educational programs could benefit public health.
Click here to read the full research paper published in Aging-US.
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