The aim of the study was to assess the contribution of negative emotionality at 3 months (T1) and serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) DNA methylation at 4.5 years of age (T2) to emotion regulation in pre-schoolers born very preterm and full-term. Forty one children (n = 21 born very preterm, n = 20 born full-term) participated in the study. Fretful behavior was assessed at T1 in response to the Face-to-FaceStill-Face (FFSF) paradigm. At T2, SLC6A4 DNA methylation was analyzed and emotion regulation was assessed using an observational procedure (i.e., the Pre-schooler Regulation of Emotional Stress, PRES). The very preterm group displayed higher emotion dysregulation during the PRES Reactivity phase than the full-term group. Higher levels of fretful behavior at 3 months were associated with greater emotional distress only for very preterm children with higher methylation at T2. No significant associations emerged in the full-term group. Despite current findings cannot be generalized owing to the relatively small sample size, this work provides preliminary longitudinal evidence about the link between negative emotionality during infancy, stress-linked epigenetic status at 4.5 years and emotion dysregulation in preschoolers born preterm.

Serotonin transporter gene methylation and emotional regulation in preschool children born preterm: A longitudinal evaluation of the role of negative emotionality in infancy / E. Mascheroni, P. Schiavolin, I.L.C. Mariani Wigley, R. Giorda, U. Pozzoli, F. Morandi, C. Fontana, F. Mosca, M. Fumagalli, R. Montirosso. - In: INFANT MENTAL HEALTH JOURNAL. - ISSN 0163-9641. - 43:4(2022 Jul), pp. 589-596. [10.1002/imhj.21990]

Serotonin transporter gene methylation and emotional regulation in preschool children born preterm: A longitudinal evaluation of the role of negative emotionality in infancy

P. Schiavolin
Secondo
;
C. Fontana;F. Mosca;M. Fumagalli
Penultimo
;
2022

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the contribution of negative emotionality at 3 months (T1) and serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) DNA methylation at 4.5 years of age (T2) to emotion regulation in pre-schoolers born very preterm and full-term. Forty one children (n = 21 born very preterm, n = 20 born full-term) participated in the study. Fretful behavior was assessed at T1 in response to the Face-to-FaceStill-Face (FFSF) paradigm. At T2, SLC6A4 DNA methylation was analyzed and emotion regulation was assessed using an observational procedure (i.e., the Pre-schooler Regulation of Emotional Stress, PRES). The very preterm group displayed higher emotion dysregulation during the PRES Reactivity phase than the full-term group. Higher levels of fretful behavior at 3 months were associated with greater emotional distress only for very preterm children with higher methylation at T2. No significant associations emerged in the full-term group. Despite current findings cannot be generalized owing to the relatively small sample size, this work provides preliminary longitudinal evidence about the link between negative emotionality during infancy, stress-linked epigenetic status at 4.5 years and emotion dysregulation in preschoolers born preterm.
DNA methylation; DNA-Methylierung; emocionalidad negativa; emotion regulation; Emotionsregulation; metilación de ADN; Mots clés: méthylation de l'ADN; nacimiento muy antes de la gestación completa; naissance très prématurée; negative emotionality; negative Emotionalität; regulación de la emoción; régulation de l’émotion; sehr frühe Geburt; Serotonin; serotonin; serotonina; very preterm birth; émotivité négative; الكلمات الأساسية: مثيلة الحمض النووي ، الولادة المبكرة ، السيروتونين ، الانفعالات السلبية ، التنظيم العاطفي; キーワード: DNAメチル化、超早産、セロトニン、負の感情、情動調整; 关键词:DNA甲基化; 情绪调节; 极早产; 消极情绪; 血清素
Settore MED/38 - Pediatria Generale e Specialistica
Settore MED/48 -Scienze Infermie.e Tecniche Neuro-Psichiatriche e Riabilitattive
Settore M-PSI/04 - Psicologia dello Sviluppo e Psicologia dell'Educazione
lug-2022
26-mag-2022
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/1071769
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