New insights into the link between childhood adversity and epigenetic changes

Accumulating evidence indicates that early childhood adversity might modify epigenetic patterns, particularly for DNA methylation. Although this relationship holds promise for new avenues of understanding the effects of early-life experiences, the mechanisms underlying such environmental effects on epigenetic profiles remain elusive. In The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, Alexandre Lussier and colleagues1 investigated the relationship between childhood adversity and DNA methylation across different developmental stages.