Genome-wide DNA methylation profile of blood samples from patients with major depressive disorder.

In the present study, to identify DNA methylation alterations correlating to the heterogeneity of symptoms of major depressive disorder, 283 blood samples were subjected to genome-wide DNA methylation analysis using the latest high-density bead array. The aim of this study was to clarify the significance of DNA methylation profile of the blood samples in the heterogeneity of symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD). Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis was performed using the Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip in 283 blood samples. Patients with MDD were recruited at the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, and control participants were recruited from the community through advertisements in a free local magazine and our website announcement, between May 2006 and April 2019. Participants were excluded if they had a history of central nervous system disease, severe head injury, or substance abuse.