On the causes of early life experience effects: evaluating the role of mom.
Early life experiences are thought to have long-lasting effects on cognitive, emotional, and social function during adulthood. Changes in neuroendocrine function, particularly the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, contribute to these systems-level behavioral effects. In searching for causal mechanisms underlying these early experience effects, pioneering research has demonstrated an important role for maternal care in offspring development, and this has led to two persistent ideas that permeate current research and thinking: first, environmental impact on the developing infant is mediated through maternal care behavior; second, the more care that a mother provides, the better off her offspring. While a good beginning, the reality is likely more complex. In this review, we critically examine these ideas and propose a computationally-motivated theoretical framework, and within this framework, we consider evidence supporting a hypothesis of maternal modulation. These findings may inform policy decisions in the context of child health and development.
Cognitive Neuroscience Program, BCS/SBE, National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA 22230, United States; Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, United States; Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, United States. Electronic address: atang@nsf.gov.
Akaysha C
AC
Tang
Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, United States; Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, United States.
Bethany C
BC
Reeb-Sutherland
Neuroscience and Behavior Program, Department of Psychology, Barnard College of Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, United States.
Russell D
RD
Romeo
Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, United States.
Bruce S
BS
McEwen
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008016:Life Change Events; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D009035:Mothers; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*
CORT; Cognitive development; Early experience; HPA; Maternal care; Maternal mediation; Maternal modulation; Novelty; Self-regulation; Stress