Children who experience stress early in life have emotional, physical health problems

Children who experience stress early in life have emotional, physical health problems -

Children who have been abused or neglected early in life are at risk develop both emotional and physical health problems. In a new study, scientists found that the abuse affects how genes are turned on, which has implications for the long-term development of children. Previous studies have focused on how the characteristics and individual genetics of a particular child in interaction with the experiences of the child in an effort to understand how health problems emerge. In the new study, researchers were able to measure the degree to which genes were turned "on" or "off" by a biochemical process called methylation. This new technique reveals ways that promote nature changes is how our social experiences can change the underlying biology of our genes.

The study, researchers from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, appears in the journal child development . Nearly 1 million children in the US are abused or neglected each year.

The researchers found an association between the type of parenting and children had a particular gene (called the glucocorticoid receptor gene) is responsible for crucial aspects of social functioning and health. all genes are not active at all times. DNA methylation is one of the biochemical mechanisms that cells use to control whether the genes are activated or deactivated. The researchers examined DNA methylation in blood from 56 children aged 11 to 14. Half of the children were physically abused.

They found that, compared to children who had not been abused, maltreated children had increased methylation at several sites of the glucocorticoid receptor gene, also known as NR3C1, echoing the results of studies earlier rodents. In this study, the effect took place on the section of the gene that is essential for nerve growth factor, which is an important part of healthy brain development.

There were no differences in genes that children are born with, the study revealed; however, differences were observed in the extent that the genes have been activated or deactivated. "This link between stress and life changes early genes can discover how early childhood experiences get under the skin and confer a lifetime risk," notes Seth D. Pollak, professor of psychology and pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, who led the study.

Previous studies have shown that children who have experienced physical violence, sexual abuse and neglect are more likely to develop mood, anxiety and aggressive disorders, as well as having control problems of their emotions. These problems, in turn, can disrupt relationships and affect school performance. Abused children are also at risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease and cancer. The current study helps to explain why these childhood experiences can affect health later years.

The gene identified by researchers affects the (HPA) hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in rodents. Interruptions of this system in the brain it would be difficult for people to adjust their levels of behavioral and emotional stress. Circulating through the body in the blood, this gene affects the immune system, leaving people less able to fight germs and more vulnerable to disease.

"Our finding that children who were physically abused display a specific change in the glucocorticoid receptor gene could explain why abused children have more emotional problems as they age," according to Pollak. "They may have fewer glucocorticoid receptors in their brain, impairing brain stress-response system and cause stress regulation problems."

The results have implications for the design of more effective interventions for children, especially since animal studies indicate that the effects of bad parenting on gene methylation may be reversible if the benefit care improves. The study also adds to what we know about how child abuse concerns changes in the body and mind, the results that were recently summarized in a SRCD Report on Social Policy Sara R. Jaffee and Cindy W. Christian.