Epigenetic mechanisms activated by childhood adversity

Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) impair health and life expectancy and may result in an epigenetic signature that drives increased morbidity primed during early stages of life. This literature review focuses on the current evidence for epigenetic-mediated programming of brain and immune function...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inEpigenomics Vol. 12; no. 14; pp. 1239 - 1255
Main Authors Krause, Bernardo J, Artigas, Rocio, Sciolla, Andres F, Hamilton, James
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Future Medicine Ltd 01.07.2020
Subjects
abuse
adversity
childhood trauma
chronic diseases
epigenetics
childhood trauma
abuse
adversity
chronic diseases
epigenetics
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Summary:Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) impair health and life expectancy and may result in an epigenetic signature that drives increased morbidity primed during early stages of life. This literature review focuses on the current evidence for epigenetic-mediated programming of brain and immune function resulting from ACE. To address this aim, a total of 88 articles indexed in PubMed before August 2019 concerning ACE and epigenetics were surveyed. Current evidence partially supports epigenetic programming of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, but convincingly shows that ACE impairs immune function. Additionally, the needs and challenges that face this area are discussed in order to provide a framework that may help to clarify the role of epigenetics in the long-lasting effects of ACE.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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ObjectType-Review-1
ISSN:1750-1911
1750-192X
DOI:10.2217/epi-2020-0042