Stress is a condition in which an individual experiences challenges to physical or emotional well-being that overwhelm their coping capacity. While some experience with manageable stress is important for healthy brain development, prolonged, uninterrupted,overwhelming stress can have toxic effects. This type of toxic stress is often associated with childhood abuse and neglect.
In the early years of life when the brain development is developing rapidly it is particularly sensitive to environmental influences. Toxic early life stress (ELS) may induce persistent hypersensitivity to stressors and sensitization of neural circuits and other neurotransmitter systems which process threat information. These neurobiological sequelae of ELS may promote the development of short and long-term behavioural and emotional problems that may persist and increase the risk for psychopathology and physical health disorders into adulthood.
The immature brain development can be considered under construction.7 The development of the human central nervous system follows a protracted, orchestrated chain of events. Brain change and adaptation are part of a lifelong process, but the earliest phases of maturation are particularly important.8 Understanding the timing of neurodevelopmental events is essential for determining how environmental disturbances can affect certain structures and functions.
Many of the endocrine (hormonal) and immune factors that play key roles in growth and brain development are also centrally involved in the stress response. This may be one reason why stress has the potential to impact intrauterine development. The role of stress and stress biology in development is common across all species and underlies evolutionary adaptations to external circumstances, such as food availability and challenges that threaten survival and reproduction.
Exposure to neurotoxins like alcohol, lead, and pesticides, particularly during sensitive periods of early fetal development, often produces long-term deficits in brain development structure and function. Exposure to psychosocial stressors, on the other hand, has more nuanced effects on the developing brain. Overgeneralized assertions, such as “Stress is bad for you and your baby,” may inadvertently contribute to anxiety and worry among pregnant women.
Signs of Stress in the Brain development Several studies have shown a measurable reduction in the size of the amygdala, hippocampus (primarily the left side), corpus callosum, and the cerebellar vermis, and an increase in size of the putamen and lateral ventricles in both children and adults who experienced repeated childhood trauma.18-20 These changes are thought to be an effect of elevated glucocorticoid levels inhibiting myelination in these structures.14 Because most areas of the limbic system are high in glucocorticoid receptors, they are susceptible to the effects of early childhood abuse.
In the early years of life when the brain development is developing rapidly it is particularly sensitive to environmental influences. Toxic early life stress (ELS) may induce persistent hypersensitivity to stressors and sensitization of neural circuits and other neurotransmitter systems which process threat information. These neurobiological sequelae of ELS may promote the development of short and long-term behavioural and emotional problems that may persist and increase the risk for psychopathology and physical health disorders into adulthood.
The immature brain development can be considered under construction.7 The development of the human central nervous system follows a protracted, orchestrated chain of events. Brain change and adaptation are part of a lifelong process, but the earliest phases of maturation are particularly important.8 Understanding the timing of neurodevelopmental events is essential for determining how environmental disturbances can affect certain structures and functions.
Many of the endocrine (hormonal) and immune factors that play key roles in growth and brain development are also centrally involved in the stress response. This may be one reason why stress has the potential to impact intrauterine development. The role of stress and stress biology in development is common across all species and underlies evolutionary adaptations to external circumstances, such as food availability and challenges that threaten survival and reproduction.
Exposure to neurotoxins like alcohol, lead, and pesticides, particularly during sensitive periods of early fetal development, often produces long-term deficits in brain development structure and function. Exposure to psychosocial stressors, on the other hand, has more nuanced effects on the developing brain. Overgeneralized assertions, such as “Stress is bad for you and your baby,” may inadvertently contribute to anxiety and worry among pregnant women.
Signs of Stress in the Brain development Several studies have shown a measurable reduction in the size of the amygdala, hippocampus (primarily the left side), corpus callosum, and the cerebellar vermis, and an increase in size of the putamen and lateral ventricles in both children and adults who experienced repeated childhood trauma.18-20 These changes are thought to be an effect of elevated glucocorticoid levels inhibiting myelination in these structures.14 Because most areas of the limbic system are high in glucocorticoid receptors, they are susceptible to the effects of early childhood abuse.
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