BNDF methylation in mothers and newborns is associated with maternal exposure to war trauma

Abstract

This is the first study in humans to examine <i>BDNF</i> methylation in relation to prenatal exposure to maternal stress in three tissues simultaneously and the first in any mammalian species to report associations of prenatal stress and <i>BDNF</i> methylation in placental tissue. The findings add to the growing body of evidence highlighting the importance of considering epigenetic effects when examining the impacts of trauma and stress, not only for adults but also for offspring exposed via effects transmitted before birth.