Behavioral problems after early life stress: contributions of the hippocampus and amygdala.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Early life stress (ELS) can compromise development, with higher amounts of adversity linked to behavioral problems. To understand this linkage, a growing body of research has examined two brain regions involved with socioemotional functioning-amygdala and hippocampus. Yet empirical studies have reported increases, decreases, and no differences within human and nonhuman animal samples exposed to different forms of ELS. This divergence in findings may stem from methodological factors, nonlinear effects of ELS, or both.

Methods

We completed rigorous hand-tracing of the amygdala and hippocampus in three samples of children who experienced different forms of ELS (i.e., physical abuse, early neglect, or low socioeconomic status). Interviews were also conducted with chil

SUBMITTER: Hanson JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4241384 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature