B3687 - Sensation-Seeking Related DNA Methylation and the Development of Delinquency A Longitudinal Epigenome-Wide Study - 12/01/2021

B number: 
B3687
Principal applicant name: 
Edward Dylan Barker | King's College London (United Kingdom)
Co-applicants: 
Jacintha Tieskens | PhD-student
Title of project: 
Sensation-Seeking Related DNA Methylation and the Development of Delinquency: A Longitudinal Epigenome-Wide Study
Proposal summary: 

Experiences of childhood maltreatment is suggested as an important risk factor for the development of delinquent behaviour. Heightened sensation-seeking is related to the development of delinquency. Moreover, sensation-seeking, or biological correlates of sensation-seeking, are suggested as factors linking childhood maltreatment to delinquency. More specifically, it is hypothesized that epigenetic correlates of sensation-seeking might function as a mechanism for translating environmental signals into biological changes that may subsequently lead to maladaptive behavior development. In this study we will try to identify the epigenetic correlates of sensation-seeking in children and investigate whether these epigenetic correlates are influenced by earlier experiences of childhood maltreatment and may impact subsequent development of delinquency in early adolescence.

Impact of research: 
Important information will become available on possible mechanisms of how adverse social experiences may become ‘under the skin’ and lead to maladaptive behavioural outcomes, such as delinquency. In addition, the role of sensation-seeking in the development of delinquency will become clearer and this information may help prevention programs to focus on important precursors of delinquent behaviour instead of intervene when delinquent symptoms are already present.
Date proposal received: 
Thursday, 17 December, 2020
Date proposal approved: 
Tuesday, 12 January, 2021
Keywords: 
Epidemiology, Behaviour - e.g. antisocial behaviour, risk behaviour, etc., Statistical methods, Epigenetics