We showed, in multiple population-based birth cohorts, that blood-based DNA methylation partially explains the relationship between childhood adversity and adolescent depressive symptoms. DNA-methylation sites across the epigenome could explain an increased risk of depression but, unexpectedly, other sites also served as markers of resilience against the effects of childhood adversity on depression risk.
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References
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This is a summary of: Lussier, A. A. et al. DNA methylation mediates the link between adversity and depressive symptoms. Nat. Ment. Health https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-024-00345-8 (2024).
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Childhood adversity may cause epigenetic changes that increase or suppress depression risk. Nat. Mental Health 2, 1433–1434 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-024-00346-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-024-00346-7
