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Folate and epigenetic mechanisms in neural tube development and defects

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Abstract

Introduction

Multiple genetic and epigenetic factors involved in central nervous system (CNS) development influence the incidence of neural tube defects (NTDs).

Discussion

The beneficial effect of periconceptional folic acid on NTD prevention denotes a vital role for the single-carbon biochemical pathway in NTD genesis. Indeed, NTDs are associated with polymorphisms in a diversity of genes that encode folate pathway enzymes. Recent evidence suggests that CNS development and function, and consequently NTDs, are also associated with epigenetic mechanisms, many of which participate in the folate cycle and its input and output pathways. We provide an overview with select examples drawn from the authors’ research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurological Surgery, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 600 Highland Avenue, K4/832, Madison, WI, 53792, USA

    Sivan Vadakkadath Meethal & Bermans J. Iskandar

  2. Department of Anesthesiology, Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53705, USA

    Kirk J. Hogan

  3. Department of Neurological Surgery, Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Research Center, 2430 N Halsted Street, Chicago, IL, 60614, USA

    Chandra S. Mayanil

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  1. Sivan Vadakkadath Meethal
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  2. Kirk J. Hogan
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  4. Bermans J. Iskandar
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Correspondence to Bermans J. Iskandar.

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Meethal, S.V., Hogan, K.J., Mayanil, C.S. et al. Folate and epigenetic mechanisms in neural tube development and defects. Childs Nerv Syst 29, 1427–1433 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-013-2162-0

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