Novel Epigenetic Biomarker for Prematurity Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Childhood

Preterms are early exposed to a stressful environment (i.e. excessive sensory stimulation and paucity of parental contact) with subsequent detrimental effects on brain maturation and neurodevelopmental outcomes. In contrast, early interventions seem to reduce stress exposure and promote neurodevelopment. The brain functional plasticity in response to environmental experiences can be partly attributed to changes in DNA methylation. In this context, LINE-1 (L1) promoter (18% of human genome) methylation/demethylation has been associated with L1 somatic mobilization in the brain genomes, contributing to experience-driven brain plasticity; this mechanism being deregulated in important neurological disease. This study aims at identifying and characterizing the role of L1 DNA repeats as a novel biomarker to predict long-term neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants. In addition, the study's secondary goal will be to define a preventive approach, based on early intervention strategies, for improving long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.