Impact of early adversity on glucocorticoid regulation and later mental disorders.
Early adverse experiences such as abuse or neglect can influence brain development and consequently bring forth a predisposition toward mental and behavioral disorders. Many authors suggest that long-term changes in the functionality of the HPA axis might be involved in mediating this relationship. The direction of change and its consequences have not been clarified though: Do early adverse experiences yield a stable glucocorticoid hyperfunction or a long-term glucocorticoid hypofunction, and how is this change of functionality associated with mental or behavioral disorders? This review summarizes correlative findings and illustrates inconsistencies of current research literature. It focuses on the specific neurochemical milieu accompanying early adverse experiences and discusses possible interactions of the glucocorticoid system with oxytocin and components of the serotonergic system. On the basis of this physiological view, a novel two-pathway model is presented, according to which specific early experiences are associated with characteristic early changes in the functionality of these systems and result in a predisposition to distinct mental and behavioral disorders.
Brain Research Institute, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany. Electronic address: nicole.strueber@uni-bremen.de.
Nicole
N
Strüber
Experimental Psychology Lab, Department of Psychology, European Medical School, Carl von Ossietzky Universität 26111, Oldenburg, Germany; Research Center Neurosensory Science, Carl von Ossietzky Universität, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany. Electronic address: daniel.strueber@uni-oldenburg.de.
Daniel
D
Strüber
Brain Research Institute, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany. Electronic address: gerhard.roth@uni-bremen.de.
Gerhard
G
Roth
D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000254:growth & development / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008016:Life Change Events; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008959:Models, Neurological; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000503:physiopathology*
D005938:Glucocorticoids
Antisocial personality disorder; Cortisol; Depression; Early adverse experiences; Glucocorticoids; Maternal care; Oxytocin; Psychopathy; Serotonin; Stress