Differentially Methylated Genes in Saliva are linked to Childhood Stress.

ABSTRACT: Chronic and severe stress exposure in early childhood is associated with the development of psychiatric disorders. Yet, the molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship remain poorly understood. Here, we profile molecular marks (DNA methylation and gene expression) throughout the human genome to determine the associations between childhood stress exposure and gene regulation. To do so, we collected saliva tissue from prepubertal girls (mean age 10.9 ± 1.26 years) who had experienced different levels of childhood adversity, ranging from mild to severe. We found 122 differentially methylated genes (FDR P-value < 0.05) associated with high childhood stress exposures that affect brain development. Of these differentially methylated genes, 12 also differed in gene expression. To further in

SUBMITTER: Papale LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6050255 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature