DNA methylation plays a key role in neural cell fate and provides a molecular link between early-life stress and later-life behavioral phenotypes. Here, studies that combine neuroimaging methods and DNA methylation analysis in pediatric population with a history of adverse experiences were systematically reviewed focusing on: targeted genes and neural correlates; statistical models used to examine the link between DNA methylation and neuroimaging data also considering early-life stress and behavioral outcomes. We identified 8 studies that report associations between DNA methylation and brain structure/functions in infants, school age children and adolescents faced with early-life stress condition (e.g., preterm birth, childhood maltreatment, low socioeconomic status and less-than optimal caregiving). Results showed that several genes were investigated (e.g., OXTR, SLC6A4, FKBP5, BDNF) and different neuroimaging techniques were performed (MRI and f-NIRS). Statistical model used ranged from correlational to more complex moderated mediation models. Most of the studies (n = 5) considered DNA methylation and neural correlates as mediators in the relationship between early-life stress and behavioral phenotypes. Understanding what role DNA methylation and neural correlates play in interaction with early-life stress and behavioral outcomes is crucial to promote theory-driven studies as the future direction of this research fields.

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神经影像和DNA甲基化：研究早期应激对发育可塑性的影响的创新方法

DNA甲基化在神经细胞的命运中起着关键作用，并提供了早期生命压力和晚期生命行为表型之间的分子联系。在这里，系统地回顾了结合神经影像学方法和DNA甲基化分析在有不良经历历史的儿科人群中的研究，重点是：靶向基因和神经相关性；统计模型用于检查DNA甲基化与神经影像数据之间的联系，还考虑了早期生活压力和行为结果。我们鉴定了8​​项研究，这些研究报告了处于早期生活压力状况（例如，早产，儿童虐待，低社会经济地位和未达到最佳照料）的婴儿，学龄儿童和青少年的DNA甲基化与脑结构/功能之间的关联。结果表明，研究了几种基因（例如OXTR，SLC6A4，FKBP5，BDNF），并进行了不同的神经成像技术（MRI和f-NIRS）。统计模型的使用范围从相关性到更复杂的调解模型。大多数研究（n = 5）认为DNA甲基化和神经相关是早期应激与行为表型之间关系的中介。理解DNA甲基化和神经相关在与早期生活压力和行为结果的相互作用中起什么作用，对于促进理论驱动的研究作为该研究领域的未来方向至关重要。大多数研究（n = 5）认为DNA甲基化和神经相关是早期应激与行为表型之间关系的中介。理解DNA甲基化和神经相关在与早期生活压力和行为结果的相互作用中起什么作用，对于促进理论驱动的研究作为该研究领域的未来方向至关重要。大多数研究（n = 5）认为DNA甲基化和神经相关是早期应激与行为表型之间关系的中介。理解DNA甲基化和神经相关在与早期生活压力和行为结果的相互作用中起什么作用，对于促进理论驱动的研究作为该研究领域的未来方向至关重要。