Summary of the project

By using our proprietary data resource for the biological aging of abused children and young suicide decedents, as well as novel AMPA receptor recognition technology for human brain and information presentation technologies, we aim to: 1) develop biological indicators that visualize child and young people's abuse, depression, and suicide risks, as well as their recovery; 2) elucidate the biological mechanisms that determine stress and resilience caused by adverse experiences; 3) develop intervention and support systems that adjust mental problems in children and young people to healthy-positive states based on scientific evidence and indicators; and 4) precisely depict the ethical, legal, and social barriers to implementing cutting-edge technology in society, and finally contribute to the realization of a society with zero child abuse, depression, and suicide.

Milestone by the end of project (year 2024)

R&D Item 1:

We aim to identify abnormalities in epigenomic aging, telomeres, immune cells, and DNA methylation of specific gene regions in children with a history of abuse (particularly those with suicidality among them), and to develop algorithm to detect abuse and suicide risk in children with high accuracy by using machine learning method. Furthermore, we will perform single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of blood of children facing severe suicide risk and identify abnormalities in specific cell type gene expression and high-resolution cell proportion counts.

R&D Item 2:

By using the world's first AMPA receptor recognition technology for human brain, we aim to identify the biological basis relevant to child abuse and suicide risk. Furthermore, we aim to clarify whether "we can accurately predict the amount of region-specific AMPA receptors based on comprehensive DNA methylation data on peripheral blood" and to gain new insights for novel non-invasive biomarkers that can evaluate the dynamics of AMPA receptors among youth.

R&D theme progress reports

• [1] Brain AMPA receptor data and epigenome data for abuse and suicidality
• [2] Comprehensive epigenome data and single-cell gene expression data for child abuse and suicidality
• Progress Report (591KB)

Leader's institution

Kobe University

R&D institutions

Kobe University, Yokohama City University

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• Summary of the project (260KB)