What if we could actually identify and even correct significant autism risk factors in utero, before a baby is born? This is the promise of the game-changing research of Dr. Janine LaSalle, epigeneticist extraordinaire from UC Davis. With autism rates continuing to increase at alarming rates (the latest data from the CDC, released in 2023, is 1 in 36 children in the US, an increase from the prior 1 in 44), new ways to prevent and treat this condition are of utmost importance. Dr. LaSalle is on a mission to change that, by investigating something you probably haven't heard much about yet - the placental methylome. Methylation signatures in the maternal placenta are yielding information both for predicting autism in children and for intervention targets to prevent the development of the disease. It's just incredibly exciting. In our conversation, you'll also learn how placental methylation behaves differently to DNA methylation in other tissues, and how the placental methylome may also help us better understand cancer as well as mechanisms that restore more youthful epigenetic patterns. Hold onto your hats folks - yes this is deep science, but it's also actionable even now. You'll hear how methylation support specifically in the early pregnancy window is key and how it's also protective against insults from environmental toxicants. You’re in for a treat with this fascinating conversation that has far-reaching implications for you and your patients. ~DrKF

Check out the show notes at https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/ for the full list of links and resources.

Guest Information

Janine LaSalle, Ph.D.
Professor, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine
University of California, Davis
jmlasalle@ucdavis.edu
The LaSalle Lab at University of California, Davis

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Show Notes

Perinatal Origins of Disparities Center: https://pod.ucdavis.edu/

Environmental Health Sciences Center: https://environmentalhealth.ucdavis.edu/

MIND Institute: https://health.ucdavis.edu/mindinstitute/

Article: Too Much Folate in Pregnant Women Increases Risk for Autism, Study Suggests: https://tinyurl.com/bdf9ez6k

The human placental methylome: https://tinyurl.com/7zz8dz55

Markers of Autism Risk in Babies (MARBLES): https://tinyurl.com/49phe22r