Brain's epigenetic blueprint is largely set before birth, offering clues to autism and schizophrenia

Brain's epigenetic blueprint is largely set before birth, offering clues to autism and schizophrenia

Researchers have created a detailed map of chemical modifications to DNA that occur in the human brain from the earliest stages of fetal development through old age. A new study published in Cell Genomics reveals that the most significant of these changes happen before birth and are located near genes linked to conditions like autism and schizophrenia. The human brain cortex, the wrinkled outer layer responsible for thought, memory, and behavior…