Epigenetic signatures of intergenerational exposure to violence in three generations of Syrian refugees.

ABSTRACT: Maternal trauma influences infant and adult health outcomes and may impact future generations through epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation (DNAm). Research in humans on the intergenerational epigenetic transmission of trauma effects is limited. In this study, we assessed DNAm signatures of war-related violence by comparing germline, prenatal, and direct exposures to violence across three generations of Syrian refugees. We compared families in which a pregnant grandmother versus a pregnant mother was exposed to violence and included a control group with no exposure to war. We collected buccal swab samples and survey data from mothers and 1-2 children in each of 48 families (n = 131 participants). Based on an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS), we identified differentially m

SUBMITTER: Mulligan CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11868390 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature