Assessing the contributions of childhood maltreatment subtypes and depression case-control status on telomere length reveals a specific role of physical neglect

• Published in: Journal of affective disorders Vol. 213; pp. 16 - 22
• Main Authors: Vincent, John, Hovatta, Iiris, Frissa, Souci, Goodwin, Laura, Hotopf, Matthew, Hatch, Stephani L., Breen, Gerome, Powell, Timothy R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.04.2017; Elsevier/North-Holland Biomedical Press
• Subjects: Adult; Adult Survivors of Child Abuse; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Child Abuse; Depression; Depressive Disorder - pathology; DNA - isolation & purification; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Psychiatry; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Telomere - genetics; Telomere - ultrastructure; Telomere Shortening; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0165-0327; 1573-2517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.01.031

Studies have provided evidence that both childhood maltreatment and depressive disorders are associated with shortened telomere lengths. However, as childhood maltreatment is a risk factor for depression, it remains unclear whether this may be driving shortened telomere lengths observed amongst depr...