Studying Epigenetic Changes and Negative Emotionality in Healthy Girls During Early and Late Puberty

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how changes during puberty affect gene activity and emotional responses in girls. The study focuses on the interaction of epigenetics, hormones, and brain processes that may explain why mental health issues become more common in females after puberty. It aims to understand how estrogen-related gene changes link to stress and feelings of depression during this developmental stage. The study enrolls 100 healthy girls, split into two groups 50 pre-pubertal girls aged 8 to 10 at pubertal stage 1, and 50 post-pubertal girls aged 15 to 17 at pubertal stage 5. Participants complete questionnaires on puberty, stress, mood, and health, and undergo brain scans and the Montreal Imaging Stress Task MIST to study brain and stress responses. Blood, saliva, and hair samples are collected to analyze hormones, DNA methylation, and gene expression related to estrogen signaling. Participants are involved in self- and parent-reported assessments, brain MRI scans, stress testing, and biological sample collection. Researchers measure DNA methylation differences, brain activity during stress, hormone levels, and emotional responses. They also evaluate how these factors relate to gene expression and brain structure. The study includes repeated saliva samples for cortisol and stress ratings, and tracks physiological stress markers like heart rate. The total study time includes MRI sessions, questionnaires, and biological sample collection.

Negative Emotionality and Epigenetics During Puberty