Epigenetics in child psychiatry

Most adult neuropsychiatric disorders begin in childhood, Genes remain constant throughout the lifespan, epigenetic factors are likely contributing to the onset and persistence of symptoms or the transition from one disorder to another from childhood to adulthood. Genetic and epigenetic factors conferring risk during brain development contribute to the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. Windows of vulnerability during various phases of neurodevelopment allow other factors such as hypoxia/ischemia, inflammation, toxins to also confer risk, at times using epigenetic mechanisms. These are explored in detail in ADHD, a common neurodevelopmental disorder. Recent technological advancements in single-cell RNA sequencing and cortically patterned organoids, generated from fetal fibroblasts-derived (hiPSC) that mimic the longitudinal development of embryonic and early human fetal cortical development, are increasing our understand of neuropathology and epigenetic mechanisms are being explored for treatments.