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Child abuse leaves lasting 'scars' on DNA

Nature (2009)Cite this article

Lingering marks on DNA could amplify stress responses.

Suicide victims with a history of abuse during childhood are more likely to carry chemical changes to their DNA that could affect how they respond to stress as adults, a study has found.

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References

  1. McGowan, P. O. et al. Nature Neurosci. Advanced online publication doi:10.1038/nn.2270 (2009).

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Authors
  1. Heidi Ledford
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Michael Meaney

Joan Kaufman

Martin Teicher

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Ledford, H. Child abuse leaves lasting 'scars' on DNA. Nature (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/news.2009.113

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/news.2009.113

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