Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting
11:31

Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting

Published on: November 30, 2015

The effects of child maltreatment on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

Elizabeth Van Voorhees1, Angela Scarpa

  • 1Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA.

Trauma, Violence & Abuse
|September 14, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Childhood maltreatment can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, impacting stress response and leading to emotional and cognitive issues. Factors like maltreatment type and age influence the severity of HPA axis disturbance.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a key mammalian stress response system.
  • HPA axis dysfunction is linked to emotional disorders like anxiety and depression.
  • Abnormalities are also associated with behavioral and cognitive deficits, including aggression and memory impairment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review existing evidence on HPA axis dysregulation in relation to childhood maltreatment.
  • To explore how various factors mediate the relationship between maltreatment and HPA axis function.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of scientific literature.
  • Analysis of studies investigating HPA axis activity in individuals with a history of childhood maltreatment.

Main Results:

  • Child maltreatment is frequently associated with disruptions in HPA axis functioning.
  • The degree and pattern of HPA axis disturbance are influenced by multiple factors.
  • Key influencing factors include the age of maltreatment onset, parental responsiveness, subsequent stressors, maltreatment type, and resulting psychopathology.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood maltreatment represents a significant risk factor for HPA axis dysregulation.
  • The impact of maltreatment on the HPA axis is complex and moderated by various individual and environmental factors.
  • Understanding these moderating factors is crucial for developing targeted interventions for affected individuals.

More Related Videos

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents06:15

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents

Published on: July 10, 2017

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants06:39

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

Published on: June 13, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis01:37

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.
Adrenal Gland Disorders01:27

Adrenal Gland Disorders

Adrenal gland disorders manifest when the production of adrenal hormones deviates from the norm, resulting in either excessive or insufficient concentrations.
Adrenal insufficiency, characterized by insufficient cortisol and aldosterone production, leads to conditions like Addison's disease. This disorder, affecting the adrenal cortex, exhibits symptoms such as skin bronzing, dehydration, low blood pressure, fatigue, and weight loss. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a genetic ailment causing...
Physiological Foundation of Stress01:24

Physiological Foundation of Stress

Stress triggers a coordinated physiological response involving the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This dual activation ensures that the body is prepared for both immediate and prolonged stress management. The process begins with the perception of a stressor. This initial phase activates the SNS, leading to the rapid release of adrenaline (epinephrine) from the adrenal glands.
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction01:26

Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction

Cushing syndrome refers to the collection of clinical manifestations that arise when tissues are exposed to excessive amounts of cortisol or cortisol-like medications over an extended period. Cortisol, a glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex, regulates metabolism, immune responses, and the body’s adaptation to stress. When its concentration remains chronically elevated, these physiological pathways become dysregulated, resulting in the characteristic features of the syndrome.Exogenous...
Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology01:19

Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology

Cortisol production is normally governed by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which maintains hormonal balance through tightly regulated feedback mechanisms. Disruption of this regulatory system is central to the development of Cushing syndrome, whether the excess cortisol originates from external medications or internal pathology. Persistent cortisol elevation alters metabolism, immune function, and endocrine signaling, producing the characteristic clinical features of the...