Childhood Adversity, Allostatic Load, and Epigenetic Signatures in Pediatric and Adult-onset Multiple Sclerosis

We found that participants with a history of childhood adversity were more likely to have greater MS symptom burden and greater disability but did not differ in allostatic load. Among all patients, epigenetic signatures did not differ by history of childhood adversity. However, when we further analyzed by MS subtype (POMS vs. AOMS), we found that the POMS participants with childhood adversity had epigenetic signatures characterized by increased methylated regions.

In contrast, AOMS individuals with childhood adversity showed decreased methylation compared to individuals without childhood adversity. None of the observed clinical and biologic differences were explained by differences in access to or timing of the onset of MS therapy or by the interval between symptom onset and diagnosis . Our findings suggest that individuals with MS who experienced childhood adversity may have an increased MS symptom burden and greater neurologic deficits.

A history of childhood adversity was associated with DNA methylation patterns specific to POMS vs. AOMS. These findings suggest that the biologic and clinical consequences of childhood adversity may have varying effects throughout the MS lifespan.