Neuroendocrine and immune pathways from pre- and perinatal stress to substance abuse.

ABSTRACT: Early life adversity is a documented risk factor for substance abuse and addiction. The pre- and perinatal period (i.e., from implantation, through pregnancy, to 6 months of age) is a critical period marked by high biological plasticity and vulnerability, making perinatal stress a particularly robust form of adversity. The neuroendocrine and immune systems are key mechanisms implicated in the transmission of addiction risk. We review animal and human studies that provide preliminary evidence for links between perinatal stress, neuroendocrine and immune dysregulation, and risk for substance abuse and addiction. A translational neuroscience perspective is employed to elucidate pre- and perinatally-induced biological mechanisms linked to addiction and discuss implications for preventio

SUBMITTER: Horn SR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6236513 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature