Everything Epigenetics - Methylation Risk Scores with Dr. Mike Thompson

Methylation Risk Scores with Dr. Mike Thompson

11/01/23 • 62 min

You may be familiar with polygenic risk scores (PRS), but have you ever heard of methylation risk scores (MRS)?
MRS are crucial to understand, as they’re a tool that quantifies DNA methylation levels at specific genomic regions linked to particular conditions, shedding light on the potential impact of epigenetic modifications on disease susceptibility.
In contrast, PRS calculates an individual's genetic disease risk by considering multiple genetic variants across the genome, often identified through genome-wide association studies.
While PRS offers valuable insights into genetic predisposition for complex diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, it has its limitations, including the risk of false positives and challenges in clinical interpretation.
The choice between MRS and PRS depends on the specific disease or research context and the available data, as both scores provide unique perspectives on disease risk.
In this week’s Everything Epigenetics podcast, Dr. Michael Thompson and I chat about the importance and benefits of MRS, how to calculate such scores, and how these scores compare to PRS. For example, in his recent paper, Mike discovered that MRS significantly improved the imputation of 139 outcomes, whereas the PRS improved only 22.
We focus on the results from a study Mike published last year that showed MRS are associated with a collection of phenotypes with electric health record systems. Mike’s work added significant MRS to state-of-the-art EHR imputation methods that leverage the entire set of medical records, and found that including MRS as a medical feature in the algorithm significantly improves EHR imputation in 37% of lab tests examined (median R2 increase 47.6%). His publicly available results show promise for methylation risk scores as clinical and scientific tools.
Mike is currently in Barcelona working on using artificial intelligence to map and learn the biological effects of mutating everything (and anything) in every single position from a genetic variant to the change in splicing or to some other interesting phenotype.
In this episode of Everything Epigenetics, you’ll learn about:

How Mike got into the field of Epigenetics
What epigenetics means to Mike
Mike’s interesting background starting with his undergraduate journey to his graduate and postgraduate studies
The importance and limitations of electric health records (EHR)
The importance and benefits of methylation risk scores (MRS)
The importance and limitations of polygenic risk scores (PRS)
How MRS compares to polygenic risk scores
Mike’s paper titled “Methylation risk scores are associated with a collection of phenotypes within electronic health record systems” and what prompted this investigation
How you create an MRS
Why we don’t see MR

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

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.

How Mike got into the field of Epigenetics
What epigenetics means to Mike
Mike’s interesting background starting with his undergraduate journey to his graduate and postgraduate studies
The importance and limitations of electric health records (EHR)
The importance and benefits of methylation risk scores (MRS)
The importance and limitations of polygenic risk scores (PRS)
How MRS compares to polygenic risk scores
Mike’s paper titled “Methylation risk scores are associated with a collection of phenotypes within electronic health record systems” and what prompted this investigation
How you create an MRS
Why we don’t see MR

Support the show

Where to Find Us:
Instagram

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

Previous Episode

The Role of Epigenetics in Functional Medicine with Dr. Jeffrey Bland

In this Everything Epigenetics episode, Dr. Jeffrey Bland and I discuss his significant contributions to functional medicines and how he has shaped this field. We also define functional medicine as a multidisciplinary approach that draws on the expertise of various healthcare professionals, including doctors, nutritionists, and researchers, to address complex health issues from a holistic perspective.
Dr. Jeffrey Bland, considered one of the pioneers in the field of functional medicine, has made notable contributions to the development and popularization of this approach to healthcare.
We talk about his journey in co-founding the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) in 1991 alongside his wife, Susan Bland, and how he established a prominent institution dedicated to promoting and advancing functional medicine principles.
Dr. Bland has authored influential books, including "The Disease Delusion," which explores the root causes of chronic illnesses. Through lectures, workshops, and educational initiatives, he has played a pivotal role in educating healthcare professionals and the public about functional medicine's core principles, emphasizing the interconnectedness of various body systems.
Dr. Bland and I also chat about his research in nutrition, genetics, and chronic diseases that has expanded our understanding of how dietary factors, genetics, and lifestyle choices influence health.
We discuss advocating for personalized healthcare and for individualized treatment plans that consider each patient's unique genetic and epigenetic makeup and health history.
Additionally, Dr. Bland underscores the importance of lifestyle medicine, integrating principles like diet, exercise, stress management, and sleep into functional medicine's holistic approach.
Lastly, we chat about the importance of epigenetics in Functional Medicine and how epigenetics is shaping the future of healthcare.
In this episode of Everything Epigenetics, you’ll learn about:

How Dr. Bland and I met
Dr. Bland's four mentors
How the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) got started
How Dr. Bland’s views on medicine have changed throughout his career
The idea of preventive medicine
Epigenetics as a paradigm shifting concept
How epigenetics has impacted his thoughts in functional medicine
Dr. Bland’s book he wrote in 1989 tilted “Genetic Nutrioneering”
Why you should test your genetic code
Why you should get your epigenetics analyzed
The work that needs to be done in epigenetics to further solidify the concept as nutrition is medicine
The need for n=1 studies in epigenetics
Dr. Bland’s clinical trial with TruDiagnostic
The importance of deconvolution in epigenetic data analysis
Immunity rejuvenation through Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat

Support the show

Where to Find Us:
Instagram

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

Next Episode

Tracking and Measuring Biomarkers to Maximize Longevity with Dr. Michael Lustgarten

In this week's Everything Epigenetics episode, I speak with Michael Lustgarten on tracking and measuring biomarkers to maximize longevity. His long-standing goal is to live longer than everyone that has ever lived. To do that, he plans on using the best available science to “biohack” his way to super-longevity. Contrary to the prevailing belief that aging is an inescapable and uncontrollable process, Michael is an advocate for longevity, and he's eager to impart valuable tools and insights that could potentially extend our lifespan beyond 120 years.
During this episode, you'll gain insight into various aspects, such as what inspired Michael to adopt a personalized health approach, his definition of optimal health, the vital role that data plays in improving your overall health, the specific blood panels Michael recommends, and the benefits of tracking diverse health data. We also discuss his epigenetic age results in depth, as he has measured this process around 10 times, and strategies for optimizing nutrition, exercise, sleep, and biological aging.
Michael Lustgarten is currently a scientist at the Tufts University Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging in Boston, Massachusetts. His research currently focuses on the role of the gut microbiome and serum metabolome on muscle mass and function in older adults.
In this episode of Everything Epigenetics, you’ll learn about:

Michael’s “biohacking” background and academic background (English degree and PhD from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio)
The story behind Conquer Aging or Die Trying
The definition of aging
Aging as a disease
The importance of the microbiome
How we can slow down the aging process
The importance of tracking biomarkers
What biomarkers Michael is tracking and WHY
The effects of hormones on epigenetic aging
The sex paradox (men age quicker than women)
How to optimize your diet through self-tracking
The difficulty and complications of measuring biomarkers
Michael’s epigenetic aging results (Horvath clock, Hannum clock, DunedinPACE, and Telomere Length)
The effect of caloric restriction on the DunedinPACE
How to optimize your fitness levels through self-tracking
The effect of physical fitness on epigenetic clocks
How to optimize your sleep through self-tracking
What Michael is NOT tracking
Michael’s most surprising find from tracking biomarkers over eight years
The future of Michael’s career