title: Potential programming of dopaminergic circuits by early life stress.
abstract: Stress and high levels of glucocorticoids during pre- and early postnatal life seem to alter developmental programs that assure dopaminergic transmission in the mesolimbic, mesocortical, and nigrostriatal systems. The induced changes are likely to be determined by the ontogenetic state of development of these brain regions at the time of stress exposure and their stability is associated with increased lifetime susceptibility to psychiatric disorders, including drug addiction. This article is intended to serve as a starting point for future studies aimed at the attenuation or reversal of the effects of adverse early life events on dopamine-regulated behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana-João
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leão
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Osborne F X
authors.initials: OF
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Nuno
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sousa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D004298:Dopamine