Grant: Team Grant: CEEHRC - Full application

Drinking during pregnancy is known to cause brain damage and physical changes to the developing embryo; however, not every fetus exposed to alcohol will develop into an individual with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). This would mean that it is a combination of environmental and genetic factors that together, determine the susceptibility and the extent of damage. The gene regulatory changes, especially changes to the methylation patterns of the epigenome during early embryogenesis, have yet to be elucidated. The overarching aim of this project is to discover an "FASD Epi-Code" based on reliable biomarkers that develop in different animal models of FASD. Using the FASD Epi-Code in a personalized medicine approach to patient care, we can improve the diagnosis and care of affected individuals and reduce the secondary disabilities, therefore reducing the direct and indirect costs of care across a person's lifetime. Using the Centre for Epigenome Mapping Technologies and the Epigenome Data Co-ordination Centre, the FASD Epi-Code will be validated in human brain tissue to confirm that the biomarkers discovered in cell culture, rodents, and frogs, is conserved in individuals who were exposed to alcohol in utero. This project is an expansion of an existing international team of researchers and clinicians with a focus on improving the diagnosis, care and prevention of FASD. If successful, the implementation of the FASD Epi-Code could save Canada part of the 6 billion dollars a year spent on FASD and more importantly, greatly improve the care and quality of life in affected individuals.