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Title: Neuroepigenetic signatures of age and sex in the living human brain

Journal Article · · Nature Communications
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  1. Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA (United States)
  2. Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (United States)
  3. Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (United States); Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (United States)

Age- and sex-related alterations in gene transcription have been demonstrated, however the underlying mechanisms are unresolved. Neuroepigenetic pathways regulate gene transcription in the brain. Here, we measure in vivo expression of the epigenetic enzymes, histone deacetylases (HDACs), across healthy human aging and between sexes using [11C]Martinostat positron emission tomography (PET) neuroimaging (n = 41). Relative HDAC expression increases with age in cerebral white matter, and correlates with age-associated disruptions in white matter microstructure. A post mortem study confirmed that HDAC1 and HDAC2 paralogs are elevated in white matter tissue from elderly donors. There are also sex-specific in vivo HDAC expression differences in brain regions associated with emotion and memory, including the amygdala and hippocampus. Hippocampus and white matter HDAC expression negatively correlates with emotion regulation skills (n = 23). Age and sex are associated with HDAC expression in vivo, which could drive age- and sex-related transcriptional changes and impact human behavior.

Research Organization:
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC); National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institute of Mental Health; American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0008430
OSTI ID:
1619532
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1611049
Journal Information:
Nature Communications, Vol. 10, Issue 1; ISSN 2041-1723
Publisher:
Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 31 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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