The role of childhood trauma in the neurobiology of mood and anxiety disorders: preclinical and clinical studies

TitleThe role of childhood trauma in the neurobiology of mood and anxiety disorders: preclinical and clinical studies
Publication TypeJournal Article
AuthorsHeim, C., and C. B. Nemeroff
Epidemiologic studies indicate that children exposed to early adverse experiences are at increased risk for the development of depression, anxiety disorders, or both. Persistent sensitization of central nervous system (CNS) circuits as a consequence of early life stress, which are integrally involved in the regulation of stress and emotion, may represent the underlying biological substrate of an increased vulnerability to subsequent stress as well as to the development of depression and anxiety. A number of preclinical studies suggest that early life stress induces long-lived hyper(re)activity of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) systems as well as alterations in other neurotransmitter systems, resulting in increased stress responsiveness. Many of the findings from these preclinical studies are comparable to findings in adult patients with mood and anxiety disorders. Emerging evidence from clinical studies suggests that exposure to early life stress is associated with neurobiological changes in children and adults, which may underlie the increased risk of psychopathology. Current research is focused on strategies to prevent or reverse the detrimental effects of early life stress on the CNS. The identification of the neurobiological substrates of early adverse experience is of paramount importance for the development of novel treatments for children, adolescents, and adults.
Title The role of childhood trauma in the neurobiology of mood and anxiety disorders: preclinical and clinical studies
Publication Title Biol Psychiatry
Publication Type Journal Article
Published Year 2001
Authors C. Heim; C.B. Nemeroff
Edition 2001/06/30
Accession Number 11430844
Number 12
ISBN Number 0006-3223 (Print)<br/>0006-3223
Grant List
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