Adverse childhood experiences, DNA methylation age acceleration, and cortisol in UK children: a prospective population-based cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Epigenetic mechanisms may partly explain the persistent effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on health outcomes in later life. DNA methylation can predict chronological age, and advanced methylation-predicted age beyond chronological age (DNA methylation age acceleration) is associated with ACEs, adverse mental and physical health, and elevated diurnal and baseline salivary cortisol. Childhood adversity is also associated with dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which produces the neuroendocrine hormone cortisol. It remains unknown whether these associations are specific to certain types of adversity. Herein, we investigate the associations of ACEs with DNA methylation age acceleration and plasma cortisol in the Avon Longitudinal Study of

SUBMITTER: Tang R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7137290 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature