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Early environmental influences on the development of children's brain structure and function
Patrícia M Miguel1,2, Lenir O Pereira1,2, Patrícia P Silveira3,4,5
1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|February 12, 2019
Summary
Early life experiences, including prenatal and childhood adversity, can permanently alter brain development and increase mental disorder risk. Positive experiences and environmental enrichment may reverse these detrimental effects through epigenetic and neurotrophic pathways.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Genetics
Background:
- The early-life brain is susceptible to environmental influences, leading to permanent changes via epigenetic modifications.
- These changes impact brain structure, function, and susceptibility to mental disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence linking early life environmental variations to long-term neurodevelopmental changes.
- To explore genetic moderators of environmental impacts on child neurodevelopment.
- To highlight positive experiences that can benefit neurodevelopment and mitigate adversity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on early life environment and neurodevelopment.
- Analysis of epigenetic mechanisms and genetic variations (e.g., BDNF, COMT).
- Examination of neuroimaging data on brain regions like the amygdala and hippocampus.
Main Results:
- Adverse early environments correlate with altered brain volume, microstructure, and connectivity.
- Genetic factors (e.g., BDNF, COMT polymorphisms) modulate the effects of adversity.
- Positive early experiences can reverse detrimental effects, involving neurotrophic and neurotransmitter systems.
Conclusions:
- Early life adversity significantly impacts neurodevelopment and behavior, with lasting effects.
- Environmental enrichment and positive influences offer protective and restorative benefits.
- Advances in technology and big data enhance understanding and translation of findings from animal models to humans.
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