Childhood adversity, allostatic load and epigenetic signatures in paediatric and adult-onset multiple sclerosis.

ABSTRACT: Childhood adversity is increasingly recognized as a critical modifier of neurologic disorder development and disease severity, including in the neuroimmune disorder multiple sclerosis (MS). While previous studies have linked early-life adversity to increased MS susceptibility and more severe disease, the underlying biological mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigated associations between childhood adversity and MS clinical features, with a focus on two potential pathogenic mechanisms: allostatic load and epigenetic modifications. We evaluated 60 consecutively enrolled young adults with MS; 30 with paediatric-onset MS (POMS) and 30 with adult-onset MS (AOMS). At time of enrolment in this cross-sectional study, participants had MS disease duration of 6 years on average. PO

SUBMITTER: O'Neill KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12917236 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature