Epigenetic signatures of attention problems in youth with childhood exposure to family and community violence.

Abstract

Aim: The link between violence-related epigenetic changes and attentional problems (APs) is still not well understood. This article examines if exposure to family and community violence during childhood and adolescence may shape DNA methylation patterns associated with attention in youth.

Method: This study used data from a longitudinal cohort with 500 first-grade Brazilian students. The following measures were investigated: attention problems, family violence, and community violence. Mann-Whitney-U and Kruskal-Wallis were used to identify group differences and Spearman correlation to access variables associations. Top 1% CpGs were overlapped. Epigenetics analyses were performed using Epigenome-wide association study (EWAS, 850K) and Prediction Analysis of Microarray (PAM). Linear regression models were applied to candidate genes analyses. All models used significance level at 5%.

Results: AP was correlated to three types of violence (family, psychological family, and community violence). EWAS and PAM identified five genes in common: SLC43A2, SMN1/2, TPO, DTNA, and CLMN, collectively implicating neurodevelopmental, cellular homeostatic, and endocrine mechanisms. PAM successfully predicted attention problems (AP) in two models (AP alone and AP combined with physical violence). Among the selected genes, several were related to neurodevelopment and neuronal maintenance (SMN1/2, MYT1L); structural organization (DTNA, CLMN); and cellular signaling (DTNA) functions; and immune, metabolic, and endocrine responses (SLC43A2, TPO). These alterations were associated with attention problems and exposure to family and community violence.

Conclusion: Early-life violence is biologically embedded through epigenetic modifications affecting attention, pointing to a complex interplay between environmental adversity and gene regulation. Integrative prevention strategies targeting psychosocial/molecular pathways of vulnerability are needed.