Background
Placenta-derived disorders (PDDs) (e.g., preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction) and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) (e.g., intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder) both have significant impacts on offspring health.Despite their distinct nature, previous researches demonstrates the rates of NDDs is increased in children of PDDs pregnancies. The placenta produces hormones and neurotransmitters affecting the fetal brain, with changes potentially causing NDDs, known as the placenta-brain axis (PBA). Studies indicate that specific “PBA genes” in the placenta may impact cognitive impairments, neonatal brain damage, and predict intellectual and social challenges in children.
Research Questions:
1. What are the genomic, epigenomic, and environmental determinants of PDDs and NDDs?
2. What is the role of gene-environment interaction in these two diseases?
3. What are the molecular crosstalk and networks linking these two categories of disorders?
Objectives:
1. Identify unique mechanisms through genome-wide and epigenome-wide studies to unveil disorder-specific risk factors.
2. Develop predictive models integrating genetic, epigenetic, and environmental data to recognize individuals predisposed to these conditions.
3. Investigate common pathways by examining how placental dysfunction impacts neurodevelopment through inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysregulation.
Scientific Rationale:
PDDs and NDDs have separate drivers but may share overlapping pathways. This project will use UK Biobank data to explore disorder-specific mechanisms and interconnected pathways, addressing knowledge gaps in maternal-offspring health and informing strategies for early diagnosis and intervention.
Compliance with AI Policy and Dissemination Plan:
I will develop AI models using UK Biobank data responsibly, ensuring no participant data is used in public AI models. All results will be shared transparently.
