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Stressed-out, or in (utero)?

Sarit Avishai-Eliner1, Kristen L Brunson, Curt A Sandman

  • 1Dept of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California at Irvine, 92697, USA.

Trends in Neurosciences
|September 11, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Early life stress impacts the developing hippocampus. While mild stress may enhance cognitive function, severe stress can harm neuronal survival and function, mediated by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH).

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Environmental input influences central nervous system (CNS) plasticity.
  • Mechanisms of early-life environmental effects, especially stress, on the hippocampus are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence on the impact of early-life stress on hippocampal development.
  • To explore the role of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in mediating these effects.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature.
  • Analysis of studies on neonatal rats and prenatal humans.

Main Results:

  • Stressful stimuli significantly affect neonatal and prenatal hippocampal function and integrity.
  • Stress activates corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) release, impacting hippocampal neurons.
  • Pathological CRH levels can lead to neuronal death, while physiological levels may enhance synaptic efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • Early-life stress acts as a 'double-edged sword' for hippocampal development.
  • Mild stress may benefit cognitive function, whereas severe stress can impair neuronal function and survival long-term.
  • CRH-mediated pathways offer potential targets for interventions against stress-induced hippocampal damage.

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