TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of early adverse experiences on brain structure and function
T2 - Clinical implications
AU - Kaufman, Joan
AU - Plotsky, Paul M.
AU - Nemeroff, Charles B.
AU - Charney, Dennis S.
N1 - Funding Information:
Aspects of this work were presented at the conference “Depression in the Twenty-First Century: New Insights into Drug Development and Neurobiology,” February 21–22, 2000, Dana Point, California. The conference was sponsored by the Society of Biological Psychiatry through an unrestricted educational grant provided jointly by Pharmacia & Upjohn and Janssen Pharmaceutica.
PY - 2000/10/15
Y1 - 2000/10/15
N2 - Child abuse is associated with markedly elevated rates of major depression and other psychiatric disorders in adulthood. This article reviews preclinical studies examining the effects of early stress, factors that modify the impact of these experiences, and neurobiological changes associated with major depression. Preclinical studies demonstrate that early stress can alter the development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic corticotropin releasing hormone, monoaminergic, and γ-aminobutyric acid/benzodiazepine systems. Stress has also been shown to promote structural and functional alterations in brain regions similar to those seen in adults with depression. Emerging data suggest, however, that the long-term effects of early stress can be moderated by genetic factors and the quality of the subsequent caregiving environment. These effects also can be prevented or reversed with various pharmacologic interventions. Preclinical studies of early stress can provide valuable insights in understanding the pathophysiology and treatment of major depression. They also can provide an important tool to use to investigate interactions between genes and environments in determining an individual's sensitivity to stress. More research is needed to understand how inherent factors interact with experiences of abuse and other psychosocial factors to confer vulnerability to develop depression. (C) 2000 Society of Biological Psychiatry.
AB - Child abuse is associated with markedly elevated rates of major depression and other psychiatric disorders in adulthood. This article reviews preclinical studies examining the effects of early stress, factors that modify the impact of these experiences, and neurobiological changes associated with major depression. Preclinical studies demonstrate that early stress can alter the development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic corticotropin releasing hormone, monoaminergic, and γ-aminobutyric acid/benzodiazepine systems. Stress has also been shown to promote structural and functional alterations in brain regions similar to those seen in adults with depression. Emerging data suggest, however, that the long-term effects of early stress can be moderated by genetic factors and the quality of the subsequent caregiving environment. These effects also can be prevented or reversed with various pharmacologic interventions. Preclinical studies of early stress can provide valuable insights in understanding the pathophysiology and treatment of major depression. They also can provide an important tool to use to investigate interactions between genes and environments in determining an individual's sensitivity to stress. More research is needed to understand how inherent factors interact with experiences of abuse and other psychosocial factors to confer vulnerability to develop depression. (C) 2000 Society of Biological Psychiatry.
KW - Animal models
KW - Child abuse
KW - Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
KW - Depression
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U2 - 10.1016/S0006-3223(00)00998-7
DO - 10.1016/S0006-3223(00)00998-7
M3 - Article
C2 - 11063974
AN - SCOPUS:0034667296
SN - 0006-3223
VL - 48
SP - 778
EP - 790
JO - Biological psychiatry
JF - Biological psychiatry
IS - 8
ER -