Understanding how childhood adversity affects depression later in life
Official title: Epigenetic predictors of time-varying exposures to childhood adversity and depression
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10783816 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how tough experiences in childhood, like trauma or family issues, can affect mental health later on, especially in terms of depression, and it hopes to find biological signs in our DNA that can help predict who might be at risk as adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | February 10, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $250,999 |
| NIH project number | 5R21MH132947-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10783816 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who experienced significant adversity during childhood and are currently facing mental health challenges.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced any form of childhood adversity or who are not currently dealing with mental health issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the long-term effects of childhood adversity, such as trauma or family disruption, on mental health, particularly depression. It aims to identify biological markers, specifically DNA methylation patterns, that can predict the risk of developing depression in adulthood. By analyzing data from a large longitudinal study, the researchers will develop new methods to assess how varying experiences during childhood influence mental health outcomes later in life. This approach could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for depression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved predictive tools for identifying individuals at risk of depression based on their childhood experiences.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using biological markers to predict mental health outcomes, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lussier, Alexandre a — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Lussier, Alexandre a
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.