Early Life Stress and Brain Plasticity: From Alterations of Brain Morphology to Development of Psychopathology.

Journal: NeuroSci

Volume: 3

Issue: 1

Year of Publication: 

Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban , South Africa; @stu.ukzn.ac.za (T.M.); @stu.ukzn.ac.za (K.B.S.); xuluk@ukzn.ac.za (K.R.X.); mpofana@ukzn.ac.za (T.M.).

Abstract summary 

Advances in our understanding of the genetics of mental disorders (MD) have contributed to a better understanding of their pathophysiology. Nonetheless, several questions and doubts remain. Recent research has focused on the role of the environment in developing mental disorders, and the advent of neuroscientific methodologies has opened up new avenues of inquiry. However, the mechanism by which childhood stress affects neurodevelopment via mechanisms, such as gene-environment interactions and epigenetic regulation leading to diseases in adulthood, is unclear. This paper aims to review the evidence on the role of early life stress and parental psychopathology in the pathophysiology and clinical expression of MD. The study will conduct a comprehensive systematic review using medical search terms (MeSH). Electronic searches for published studies will be performed using the MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Scopus, PsychINFO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. We will look for research on the neuroplasticity effects of early life stress on development and review articles that evaluate cognitive functions and the development of psychopathology and MD. Before identifying full-text articles, several studies will be filtered based on titles, abstracts, keywords, and synonyms. Publications to be included in the review will be assessed for quality and consistency before inclusion. Data will be extracted independently and duplicated by two authors from each eligible study to ensure consistency between reviews. All databases will be searched from inception until July 2021 and will be limited to human studies. The search will be limited only to publication in the English language and any publication that can be converted to English. The findings of this review will meticulously articulate the effects of childhood adversity, such as ELS and parental psychopathology on cognitive development and neuroplasticity. : CRD42021278100.

Authors & Co-authors:  Oginga Fredrick Otieno FO Magwai Thabo T Shangase Khanyiso Bright KB Xulu Khethelo Richman KR Mpofana Thabisile T

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  Le Moult J., Humphreys K.L., Tracy A., Hoffmeister J.-A., Ip E., Gotlib I.H. Meta-analysis: Exposure to Early Life Stress and Risk for Depression in Childhood and Adolescence. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry. 2020;59:842–855. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2019.10.011.
Authors :  5
Identifiers
Doi : 10.3390/neurosci3010008
SSN : 2673-4087
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Other Terms
MD;anxiety;brain development;early life stress;neuroplasticity;psychopathology;schizophrenia
Study Design
Study Approach
Systemic Review
Country of Study
Publication Country
Switzerland