Multi-tissue DNA methylation analysis to identify an appropriate surrogate tissue for a unique neurological tissue specific to spina bifida

These results suggest that in the absence of dural tissue, both whole blood and buccal swab samples may be considered as surrogates for dural tissue. The study warrants replication in larger groups to validate findings and may assist researchers restricted to more accessible biospecimens (i.e., blood) to further characterize epigenetic contributors to neural tube defect etiology.