Inter-individual differentially methylated region-targeted EWAS reveals epigenetic signatures of early childhood adversity.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), especially in early life, can affect psychosocial development and increase lifelong risk for mental disorders. ACEs are also known to induce persistent epigenetic changes. This study aimed to explore ACE-associated DNA methylation signatures using an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) targeting inter-individual differentially methylated regions (DMRs).

Methods

We developed a targeted capture probe system covering ~1.3 million CpG sites within inter-individual DMRs. This system was applied to salivary DNA from drug-naïve children aged 6-12 years with exposure to multiple early-life ACEs (n = 23) or who had no ACEs (n = 21).

Results

We identified 15 novel DMRs significantly associated with ACEs. A cluster of

SUBMITTER: Mayanagi T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12826735 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature