title: Stressful early life experiences and immune dysregulation across the lifespan.
abstract: There is considerable evidence that stressful early life events influence a variety of physical health problems later in life. Childhood adversity has been linked to elevated rates of morbidity and mortality from a number of chronic diseases. Immune dysregulation may be one potential pathway that explains this link. In this mini-review, we summarize human studies demonstrating that severe early life stressors have lasting immune consequences. We propose a model outlining potential biobehavioral pathways that explain how early life stressors leave people vulnerable to these maladaptive outcomes. Finally, we suggest ideas for future work to test different aspects of this model.
authors: The Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center, OH, United States. christopher.fagundes@osumc.edu
authors: Christopher P
authors: CP
authors: Fagundes
authors: Ronald
authors: R
authors: Glaser
authors: Janice K
authors: JK
authors: Kiecolt-Glaser
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000276:immunology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology*; D059506:Telomere Shortening / Q000276:immunology