Adolescent depression, childhood maltreatment, and the immune system; a role for epigenetic aging?

Our results contrast with previous literature in adults, indicating that epigenetic age <i>ac</i>celeration and inflammation are not unequivocal indicators of depression and childhood trauma in adolescents. Future studies with larger, more heterogeneous samples should investigate under which circumstances increased or decreased levels of these biological markers indicate vulnerability for health-related outcomes. Better understanding of these mechanisms in adolescence may help to develop appropriate interventions supporting a healthy development of children who experienced maltreatment or depression.