A5078501123- Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
- Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
- Hemispheric Asymmetry in Neuroscience
- Amino Acid Enzymes and Metabolism
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Health, Environment, Cognitive Aging
- Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
- Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
- Genetic Syndromes and Imprinting
- Nerve injury and regeneration
- Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
- Gut microbiota and health
- RNA modifications and cancer
- Restless Legs Syndrome Research
- Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Research
- Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
- Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare
- Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Cancer-related gene regulation
- Digestive system and related health
- Nuclear Receptors and Signaling
- Diet and metabolism studies
Van Andel Institute
2016-2023
Michigan State University
2019-2023
Grand Rapids Community College
2020-2022
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
2010-2019
University of Toronto
2007-2016
Sunnybrook Health Science Centre
2016
Health Sciences Centre
2016
Mount Sinai Hospital
2005-2010
Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute
2005-2010
Canada Research Chairs
2008
The human appendix is a reservoir for α-synuclein aggregates and its removal may reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Abstract Epigenetic control of enhancers alters neuronal functions and may be involved in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, we identify neurons contributing to AD by comprehensive fine-mapping DNA methylation at enhancers, genome-wide. We examine 1.2 million CpG CpH sites prefrontal cortex individuals with no/mild, moderate, severe pathology ( n = 101). 1224 differentially methylated enhancer regions; most which are hypomethylated neurons. losses occur normal aging neurons, but accelerated AD....
The gut microbiome can impact brain health and is altered in Parkinson’s disease (PD). vermiform appendix a lymphoid tissue the cecum implicated storage regulation of microbiota. We sought to determine whether PD analyze biological consequences microbial alterations. investigated changes functional microbiota patients relative controls (n = 12 PD, 16 C) by metatranscriptomic analysis. found dysbiosis affecting lipid metabolism, including an upregulation bacteria responsible for secondary...
The gut microbiome and its metabolites can impact brain health are altered in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. It has been recently demonstrated that PD patients have reduced fecal levels of the potent epigenetic modulator butyrate bacterial producers.Here, we investigate whether changes associated related to symptoms markers leucocytes neurons.Stool, whole blood samples, clinical data were collected from 55 controls. We performed DNA methylation analysis on samples analyzed results...
Abnormal N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor (NMDAR) function has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. -serine is an important NMDAR modulator, and to elucidate role synthesis enzyme serine racemase (Srr) schizophrenia, we identified characterized mice with ENU-induced mutation that results a complete loss Srr activity dramatically reduced levels. Mutant displayed behaviors relevant including impairments prepulse inhibition, sociability spatial discrimination. Behavioral...
Mutations in the vacuolar protein sorting 35 ortholog ( VPS35 ) gene represent a cause of late-onset, autosomal dominant familial Parkinson’s disease (PD). A single missense mutation, D620N, is considered pathogenic based upon its segregation with multiple families PD. At present, mechanism(s) by which mutations precipitate neurodegeneration PD are poorly understood. Here, we employ germline D620N knockin (KI) mouse model to formally establish age-related effects mutation at physiological...
Abstract Impaired neuronal processes, including dopamine imbalance, are central to the pathogenesis of major psychosis, but molecular origins unclear. Here we perform a multi-omics study neurons isolated from prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (n = 55 cases 27 controls). DNA methylation, transcriptomic, genetic-epigenetic interactions psychosis converged on pathways neurodevelopment, synaptic activity, immune functions. We observe prominent hypomethylation an enhancer...
Abstract Background Hemispheric asymmetry in neuronal processes is a fundamental feature of the human brain and drives symptom lateralization Parkinson’s disease (PD), but its molecular determinants are unknown. Here, we identify divergent epigenetic patterns involved hemispheric by profiling DNA methylation isolated prefrontal cortex neurons from control PD hemispheres. fine-mapped at enhancers promoters, genome-wide, targeted bisulfite sequencing two independent sample cohorts. Results We...
Activation of the N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor (NMDAR) glycine site has been shown to accelerate adaptive forms learning that may benefit psychopathologies involving cognitive and perseverative disturbances. In this study, effects increasing brain levels endogenous NMDAR agonist D-serine, through genetic inactivation its catabolic enzyme D-amino acid oxidase (DAO), were examined in behavioral tests memory. Morris water maze task (MWM), mice carrying hypofunctional Dao1 G181R mutation...
Circadian rhythmicity governs a remarkable array of fundamental biological functions and is mediated by cyclical transcriptomic proteomic activities. Epigenetic factors are also involved in this circadian machinery; however, despite extensive efforts, detection characterization cytosine modifications at the nucleotide level have remained elusive. In study, we report that large proportion epigenetically variable cytosines show pattern their modification status mice. Importantly, with...