Alex Lussier

Amazing work @brookemckenna.bsky.social! So thankful to have been involved.

Many thanks to the entire team that worked on this project & special thank you to my FANTASTIC postdoc mentor @erindunnscd.bsky.social! 🤩

If you’re interested in #epigenetics & #sociology research, please consider joining Dr. Dunn’s team @purduesociology.bsky.social! ➡️ bit.ly/3ZjzSVH (6/6)

💡Why this matters: we’re learning how epigenetic changes shape mental health, vulnerability, AND resilience.

These discoveries can guide future depression prevention & mitigation strategies.

Read our research briefing here: doi.org/10.1038/s442... (5/6)

We found 70 CpG sites where DNAm explained 10-73% of the link between adversity & depression

But 39 of those CpG sites showed protective effects, REDUCING depression risk & suggesting a potential biological marker of resilience! 🤯 (4/6)

We used an epigenome-wide approach to investigate:

🧒 ALSPAC children (ages 0-7)
🧠 Across 7 types of childhood adversity (e.g., abuse, financial stress)
🧬 To ask: Are adolescent depressive symptoms linked to DNA methylation changes at age 7?
(3/6)

We wanted to get at the overarching question: how does early life stress & adversity become biologically embedded to influence #MentalHealth?

In this study, we asked: Can epigenetic changes like DNA methylation explain the link between childhood adversity & depression? 🧠 (2/6)

🚨New paper out in Nature Mental Health from my work with @erindunnscd.bsky.social at #MassGeneral! We found that childhood adversity leads to #epigenetic changes that can increase OR reduce risk for depression. Let me explain... 🧵(1/6)

Read the paper here: www.nature.com/articles/s44...