New insights into the link between childhood adversity and epigenetic changes

Abstract

Accumulating evidence indicates that early childhood adversity might modify epigenetic patterns, particularly for DNA methylation. Although this relationship holds promise for new avenues of understanding the effects of early-life experiences, the mechanisms underlying such environmental effects on epigenetic profiles remain elusive. In The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, Alexandre Lussier and colleagues 1 Lussier AA Zhu Y Smith BJ et al. Association between the timing of childhood adversity and epigenetic patterns across childhood and adolescence: findings from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) prospective cohort. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2023; https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(23)00127-X Google Scholar investigated the relationship between childhood adversity and DNA methylation across different developmental stages. They found that adversity experienced between the ages of 3 and 5 years was more strongly associated with differences in DNA methylation patterns at age 15 years, compared with adversity experienced at other periods between birth and age 11 years. 1 Lussier AA Zhu Y Smith BJ et al. Association between the timing of childhood adversity and epigenetic patterns across childhood and adolescence: findings from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) prospective cohort. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2023; https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(23)00127-X Google Scholar These findings not only support the well documented role of childhood adversity in behavioural and epigenetic regulation, 2 Khulan B Manning JR Dunbar DR et al. Epigenomic profiling of men exposed to early-life stress reveals DNA methylation differences in association with current mental state. Transl Psychiatry. 2014; 4: e448 Crossref PubMed Scopus (49) Google Scholar , 3 Labonté B Suderman M Maussion G et al. Genome-wide epigenetic regulation by early-life trauma. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2012; 69: 722-731 Crossref PubMed Scopus (343) Google Scholar but also unveil how the timing of environmental exposure can influence the effect of early-life adversity on epigenetic regulation. 4 Cao-Lei L de Rooij SR King S et al. Prenatal stress and epigenetics. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2020; 117: 198-210 Crossref PubMed Scopus (67) Google Scholar This study provides compelling evidence that the early (preschool) childhood period might be particularly sensitive to adverse environmental factors. Association between the timing of childhood adversity and epigenetic patterns across childhood and adolescence: findings from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) prospective cohortThese findings highlight the time-varying effect of childhood adversity on DNA methylation profiles across development, which might link exposure to adversity to potential adverse health outcomes in children and adolescents. If replicated, these epigenetic signatures could ultimately serve as biological indicators or early warning signs of initiated disease processes, helping identify people at greater risk for the adverse health consequences of childhood adversity. Full-Text PDF