Everything Epigenetics - Epigenetic Aging in Mood Disorders: Exploring the Role of Lithium and Future Therapies

Epigenetic Aging in Mood Disorders: Exploring the Role of Lithium and Future Therapies

10/09/24 • 48 min

In this week’s episode of the Everything Epigenetics podcast, Dr. Gabriel Fries and I discuss the fascinating intersections of epigenetics, aging, and psychiatric disorders. Dr. Fries, an Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UTHealth, shares his groundbreaking research on the molecular underpinnings of mood disorders such as bipolar disorder and suicide risk. We dive into how psychiatric disorders are linked to accelerated aging, how drugs like lithium show promise in reversing these epigenetic changes, and the future of personalized medicine through pharmacoepigenetics.

You'll learn about:

The importance of epigenetics in psychiatric disorders
How psychiatric disorders accelerate the aging process
The anti-aging effects of lithium in bipolar patients
How epigenetic markers can help predict treatment responses
The future of interventional trials aimed at reversing epigenetic aging
The challenges facing the field and the need for replication studies

Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction to Epigenetics and Psychiatry
03:08 – How Epigenetics Mediates Gene-Environment Interactions in Mental Health
06:07 – Epigenetic Aging in Psychiatric Disorders
09:20 – Exploring the Accelerated Aging in Bipolar Disorder and Suicide Risk
17:02 – The Power of Second-Generation Epigenetic Clocks (PhenoAge, GrimAge)
19:45 – What is DunedinPACE? The Pace of Aging and Psychiatric Disorders
23:10 – Lithium’s Anti-Aging Effects in Bipolar Disorder
32:00 – Future Directions: Personalized Medicine Through Pharmacoepigenetics
36:16 – Interventional Drug Trials and Preventing Epigenetic Aging
38:19 – Challenges in the Field and the Need for Longitudinal Studies
42:00 – Final Thoughts: What’s Next for Dr. Fries and His Research

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Thank you for joining us at the Everything Epigenetics Podcast and remember you have control over your Epigenetics, so tune in next time to learn more about how to harness this knowledge for your benefit.

You'll learn about:

The importance of epigenetics in psychiatric disorders
How psychiatric disorders accelerate the aging process
The anti-aging effects of lithium in bipolar patients
How epigenetic markers can help predict treatment responses
The future of interventional trials aimed at reversing epigenetic aging
The challenges facing the field and the need for replication studies

Support the show

Where to Find Us:
Instagram

Visit our website for more information and resources: everythingepigenetics.com

Previous Episode

Detecting the Undetectable: Epigenetics in Early Cancer Detection with Dr. Joshua Routh

Recent research from the University of Chicago shows that only 14% of cancers in the U.S. are diagnosed after the patient had a recommended screening test. 57% of diagnosed cancers do not have screening tests and account for 70% of all cancer-related deaths. 86% of cancer cases still go undiagnosed after recommended screenings. ‍16M+ life years saved in the U.S. from early-detection screenings. I don't know about you, but everytime I read those stats, my jaw hits the floor.

When it comes to cancer, early detection is key to saving lives. With 610,000+ cancer deaths in the U.S. each year, most of which stemming from cancer types with no FDA-approved screening options, new technology is making revolutionary strides in detecting cancers that have been previously undetectable in early stages.

There are now new tools intended to be used complementary to established cancer screening assessments. However in some cases, especially for cancer types that have no previously established screening test and are notoriously hard to detect, it may be the only warning sign currently available for providers.

In this week’s episode of the Everything Epigenetics podcast, Dr. Joshua Routh and I talk about just that. We discuss the rising cancer burden and the cutting-edge role epigenetics plays in revolutionizing early cancer detection. Dr. Routh, a molecular genetic pathologist and medical director at Precision Epigenomics, shares insights into how new diagnostics, such as Multi-Cancer Detection (MCD) tests, provide opportunities to catch cancers earlier than ever before. We also explore the technology behind these tests, their impact on patient outcomes, and what the future holds for epigenetics in diagnosing and treating cancer and other chronic diseases.

You'll learn about:

Dr. Joshua Routh’s journey from engineering to molecular oncology.
The alarming statistics behind late-stage cancer diagnoses and why early detection is critical.
Current cancer screening limitations and how epigenomics offers better solutions.
How Multi-Cancer Detection (MCD) tests like EPISEEK work to catch cancer earlier.
The difference between EPISEEK by Precision Epigenomics and Galleri by Grail.
Why test accuracy matters

What to expect if you get a positive cancer result and how recurrence monitoring works.
The broader future of epigenetics in treating conditions like heart disease and neurological disorders.
Chapters:

00:10 - Introduction to Dr. Joshua Routh and His Career Journey
04:48 - The Growing Cancer Burden and Challenges in Screening
09:00 - How Epigenomics is Transforming Early Cancer Detection
13:12 - Multi-Cancer Detection Tests: What Are They?
18:22 - EPISEEK by Precision Epigenomics vs. Galleri: Comparing the Leading Tests
25:27 - Cancer Therapy Resistance and the Role of Epigenet

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Where to Find Us:
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Next Episode

From Aging to Cancer Risk in Epigenetics with Dr. Chiara Herzog

In this week's episode of the Everything Epigenetics podcast, Dr. Chiara Herzog and I talk about how epigenetics is making waves in the medical world and how it could change treatment. Translational scientist and research fellow Dr. Herzog provides insights from her role in the Biomarkers of Aging Consortium and her work on the TirolGESUND project, one of the largest multi-omic human lifestyle intervention trials to date. We investigate the potential applications of epigenetics in cancer detection, aging biomarkers, and preventive measures that could change the paradigm of healthcare from one that is reactive to one that is proactive. We also explore the fascinating potential of using epigenetic markers to anticipate disease before it manifests itself, particularly in the context of cancer research, and how this could impact the delivery of tailored healthcare.

You'll learn about:

How Dr. Herzog’s background in neuroscience led her to epigenetics
Recent breakthroughs in epigenetics and why they are promising for healthcare
The potential of epigenetic markers to predict cancer risk and diagnose early stages of cancer
The setup and goals of the TirolGESUND study focusing on intermittent fasting and smoking cessation
The importance of studying epigenetic changes across different cell types and understanding the exposome
How the exposome interacts with our epigenome and its implications for personalized medicine

Chapters:
00:00 Welcome and introduction
02:30 Dr. Herzog’s journey from neuroscience to epigenetics
05:40 Recent breakthroughs in epigenetic research
12:10 Epigenetics and cancer risk: promising findings
19:15 TirolGESUND study: setup, interventions, and what to expect
27:40 Why studying different cell types matters in epigenetics
32:00 Understanding the exposome and its impact on health
38:20 Future steps for advancing epigenetic biomarkers in healthcare
45:00 Exciting upcoming projects in epigenetics research

Support the show

Where to Find Us:
Instagram

Visit our website for more information and resources: everythingepigenetics.com