Research Director

Tadafumi Kato

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Outline

When DNA is methylated by the effect of environment, gene expression changes. This might be one of mechanisms underlying mental disorders. However, little is known about the possible role of such epigenetic changes in mental disorders. Because the brain is made from many types of cells, analysis of DNA methylation status of neurons is difficult. In this study, we will develop advanced technologies to analyze epigenome in neurons and examine the neural epigenome in the postmortem brains of patients with mental disorders. In addition, the results are compared with the data in animal models, and causal relationship between epigenomic changes and mental disorders will be elucidated.