Adversity exposure during sensitive periods predicts accelerated epigenetic aging in children.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Exposure to adversity has been linked to accelerated biological aging, which in turn has been shown to predict numerous physical and mental health problems. In recent years, measures of DNA methylation-based epigenetic age--known as "epigenetic clocks"--have been used to estimate accelerated epigenetic aging. Although a small number of studies have found an effect of adversity exposure on epigenetic age in children, none have investigated if there are "sensitive periods" when adversity is most impactful.

Methods

Using data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC; n = 973), we tested the prospective association between repeated measures of childhood exposure to seven types of adversity on epigenetic age assessed at age 7.5 using the Horvath

SUBMITTER: Marini S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7832214 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature