Epigenetic Modifications Associated with Childhood Trauma and Adult Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Survivors of Boko Haram Violence

Epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation changes in stress-response genes, represent a biological pathway through which childhood trauma exerts lasting psychiatric effects. This study investigates epigenetic modifications associated with childhood trauma and adult PTSD in survivors of Boko Haram-related violence in North East Nigeria. A case-control design will recruit 80 adults with PTSD (cases) and 80 trauma-exposed controls without PTSD from resettlement communities in Borno and Adamawa States. Childhood trauma will be quantified using the CTQ-SF and a violence-specific exposure inventory. PTSD diagnosis and severity will be confirmed using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5). Genome-wide DNA methylation will be profiled from peripheral blood using the Illumina EPIC array. Gene-specific methylation analyses will target FKBP5, NR3C1, BDNF, and SLC6A4 promoter regions. Mediation models will test whether epigenetic variation mediates the childhood trauma-PTSD association. This study is the first epigenetic investigation of PTSD in a conflict-affected West African population. Findings will advance mechanistic understanding of trauma-related psychopathology and may identify methylation biomarkers for PTSD risk stratification in humanitarian contexts. Keywords: epigenetics, DNA methylation, PTSD, childhood trauma, North East Nigeria