An epigenome‐wide study of a needs‐based family intervention for offspring of trauma‐exposed mothers in Kosovo

• Published in: Brain and behavior 2024-09, Vol.14 (9), p.e70029-n/a
• Main Authors: Ryan, Joanne, Phyo, Aung Zaw Zaw, Krasniqi, Sebahate Pacolli, Carkaxhiu, Selvi Izeti, Fransquet, Peter, Kaas‐Petersen, Sara Helene, Limani, Dafina Arifaj, Xhemaili, Vjosa Devaja, Salihu, Mimoza, Prapashtica, Qendresa, Zekaj, Nebahate, Turjaka, Vesa, Wang, Shr‐Jie, Rushiti, Feride, Hjort, Line
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aging; Child; Children & youth; Curricula; DNA Methylation; Epigenesis, Genetic; Epigenetics; Epigenome; Families & family life; Family Therapy - methods; Female; Genes; Hormones; Humans; Hydrocortisone - blood; intergenerational; Intervention; Kosovo; Male; Mothers; Original; Post traumatic stress disorder; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - genetics; Sex crimes; Sex Offenses - prevention & control; Therapists; Therapy; Torture; Trauma; Violence; War; Womens health
• ISSN: 2162-3279; 2162-3279
• DOI: 10.1002/brb3.70029

Introduction Maternal stress and trauma during pregnancy have been shown to influence cortisol levels and epigenetic patterns, including DNA methylation, in the offspring. This study aimed to determine whether a tailor‐made family intervention could help reduce cortisol levels in children born to traumatized mothers, and to determine whether it effected offspring DNA methylation. The secondary aim was to determine whether the family intervention influenced DNA methylation aging, a marker of biological aging. Methods A needs‐based family intervention was designed to help address relational difficulties and family functioning, and included a focus on family strengths and problem‐solving patterns. Women survivors of sexual violence during the Kosovar war in 1998–1999, and their families (children with or without partners) were randomly assigned to 10 sessions of a family therapy over a 3–5‐month period, or to a waitlist control group. Both mothers and children completed assessments prior to and after the intervention phase. Children's blood samples collected at these two time points were used to measure cortisol and epigenome‐wide DNA methylation patterns (Illumina EPIC array). Cortisol levels, and genome‐wide DNA methylation changes pre‐/postintervention were compared between children in the intervention and the waitlist groups. DNA methylation age and accelerated biological aging were calculated. Results Sixty‐two women–child dyads completed the study, 30 were assigned first to the intervention group, and 32 to the waitlist control group. In adjusted linear regression, the family intervention was associated with a significant decline in cortisol levels compared to the waitlist control (β = −124.72, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −197.4 to −52.1, p = .001). Children in the intervention group, compared to the waitlist control group, showed >1% differential methylation degree at 5819 CpG (5'—C—phosphate—G—3') sites across the genome (p