Childhood abuse and neglect affects the way genes are activated, which lead to problems in long-term development, a new research by the University of Wisconsin, Madison, shows.
The study was conducted on 56 children aged between 11 and 14. Half the participants were physically abused. The research team collected the blood samples of the children and examined DNA methylation, a biochemical mechanism that cells use to turn genes on or off , explained the authors in a press release.
The study analysis showed that children who were abused or neglected had increased methylation in several areas in the NR3C1 (glucocorticoid receptor) gene. These areas were directly associated with brain development. This explains why children who suffer abuse during childhood have emotional regulation and physical health issues.
Researchers also noted that there were no differences in the genes that the children were born with. The difference between the two groups of children was the gene activation.
"This link between early life stress and changes in genes may uncover how early childhood experiences get under the skin and confer lifelong risk. Our finding that children who were physically maltreated display a specific change to the glucocorticoid receptor gene could explain why abused children have more emotional difficulties as they age," lead study author, Seth D. Pollak, professor of psychology and pediatrics at the University of Washington, Madison said . "They may have fewer glucocorticoid receptors in their brains, which would impair the brain's stress-response system and result in problems regulating stress."
A recent study showed that certain parenting styles significantly affect the overall health of children. Researchers noted that the common victims of inflammation and poor health are children from low income background.
The current study was published in the journal, Child Development.
