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Previous Volume 359:61-73 July 3, 2008 Number 1 Next

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A long latency period between an environmental trigger and the onset of subsequent disease is widely recognized in the etiology of certain cancers, yet this phenomenon is not generally considered in the etiology of other conditions such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, or osteoporosis. However, many lines of evidence, including epidemiologic data and data from extensive clinical and experimental studies, indicate that early life events play a powerful role in influencing later susceptibility to certain chronic diseases. An increased understanding of developmental plasticity (defined as the ability of an organism to develop in various ways, depending on the particular environment . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Epidemiologic and Clinical Observations

Physiological, Cellular, and Molecular Bases of Developmental Plasticity

Integrated Responses

Experimental Data Relevant to Human Disease

Epigenetic Mechanisms

Reversibility

Developmental Plasticity and Later Disease

Heritable Environmental Influences

Medical and Public Health Implications

Conclusions

Source Information

From the Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, and National Research Centre for Growth and Development, Auckland, New Zealand (P.D.G.); Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton (M.A.H.), and Medical Research Council Epidemiology Resource Centre, University of Southampton (C.C.) — both in Southampton, United Kingdom; and Heart Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland (K.L.T.).

Address reprint requests to Dr. Gluckman at the Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand, or at pd.gluckman@auckland.ac.nz.

Related Letters:

In Utero and Early-Life Conditions and Adult Health and Disease
Grandjean P., Heindel J. J., Marengoni A., Winblad B., Fratiglioni L., Been J. V., Kramer B. W., Zimmermann L. J.I., Gluckman P. D., Hanson M. A., Cooper C.
Extract | Full Text | PDF  
N Engl J Med 2008; 359:1523-1524, Oct 2, 2008. Correspondence

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