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Wilson LC, Riordan A, Nussbaum A, Krawitz J. Heart and shoal: Social cues and oxytocin receptors impact stress recovery in the zebrafish. Physiol Behav 2024; 283:114613. [PMID: 38871154 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
In many species, social interactions decrease behavioral, hormonal, and neural responses to environmental stressors. While "social buffering" and its mechanisms have received considerable attention in mammals, we know less about the phenomenon in fish. The nonapeptide oxytocin regulates social behavior across vertebrates and plays an important role in social buffering in mammals. We investigated social buffering in the zebrafish by evaluating how the social environment and oxytocin receptors impact recovery from an acute stressor. Male and female fish were briefly exposed to alarm substance and recovered either in isolation or within view of a stimulus shoal. Alarm substance did not increase social approach, but social stimuli improved behavioral stress recovery. Oxytocin receptor antagonism decreased social approach during stress recovery and impaired stress recovery exclusively in individuals with access to visual social stimuli. Our findings contribute to the growing body of evidence that social stimuli buffer stress responses in fish and suggest that oxytocin receptors may play a role in socially-buffered stress recovery across taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah C Wilson
- Neuroscience Department, Muhlenberg College, 240W Chew St, Allentown, PA 18104, USA.
| | - Anna Riordan
- Neuroscience Department, Muhlenberg College, 240W Chew St, Allentown, PA 18104, USA
| | - April Nussbaum
- Neuroscience Department, Muhlenberg College, 240W Chew St, Allentown, PA 18104, USA
| | - Jacob Krawitz
- Neuroscience Department, Muhlenberg College, 240W Chew St, Allentown, PA 18104, USA
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Lyons-Ruth K, Chasson M, Khoury J, Ahtam B. Reconsidering the nature of threat in infancy: Integrating animal and human studies on neurobiological effects of infant stress. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 163:105746. [PMID: 38838878 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Early life stress has been associated with elevated risk for later psychopathology. One mechanism that may contribute to such long-term risk is alterations in amygdala development, a brain region critical to stress responsivity. Yet effects of stress on the amygdala during human infancy, a period of particularly rapid brain development, remain largely unstudied. In order to model how early stressors may affect infant amygdala development, several discrepancies across the existing literatures on early life stress among rodents and early threat versus deprivation among older human children and adults need to be reconciled. We briefly review the key findings of each of these literatures. We then consider them in light of emerging findings from studies of human infants regarding relations among maternal caregiving, infant cortisol response, and infant amygdala volume. Finally, we advance a developmental salience model of how early threat may impact the rapidly developing infant brain, a model with the potential to integrate across these divergent literatures. Future work to assess the value of this model is also proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlen Lyons-Ruth
- Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 1493 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02468, USA.
| | - Miriam Chasson
- Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 1493 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02468, USA.
| | - Jennifer Khoury
- Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 1493 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02468, USA.
| | - Banu Ahtam
- Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging & Developmental Science Center, Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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3
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Butzin-Dozier Z, Mertens AN, Tan ST, Granger DA, Pitchik HO, Il'yasova D, Tofail F, Rahman MZ, Spasojevic I, Shalev I, Ali S, Karim MR, Shahriar S, Famida SL, Shuman G, Shoab AK, Akther S, Hossen MS, Mutsuddi P, Rahman M, Unicomb L, Das KK, Yan L, Meyer A, Stewart CP, Hubbard AE, Naved RT, Parvin K, Mamun MMA, Luby SP, Colford JM, Fernald LCH, Lin A. Stress biomarkers and child development in young children in Bangladesh. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 164:107023. [PMID: 38522372 PMCID: PMC11157411 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hundreds of millions of children in low- and middle-income countries are exposed to chronic stressors, such as poverty, poor sanitation and hygiene, and sub-optimal nutrition. These stressors can have physiological consequences for children and may ultimately have detrimental effects on child development. This study explores associations between biological measures of chronic stress in early life and developmental outcomes in a large cohort of young children living in rural Bangladesh. METHODS We assessed physiologic measures of stress in the first two years of life using measures of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (salivary cortisol and glucocorticoid receptor gene methylation), the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) system (salivary alpha-amylase, heart rate, and blood pressure), and oxidative status (F2-isoprostanes). We assessed child development in the first two years of life with the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories (CDI), the WHO gross motor milestones, and the Extended Ages and Stages Questionnaire (EASQ). We compared development outcomes of children at the 75th and 25th percentiles of stress biomarker distributions while adjusting for potential confounders using generalized additive models, which are statistical models where the outcome is predicted by a potentially non-linear function of predictor variables. RESULTS We analyzed data from 684 children (49% female) at both 14 and 28 months of age; we included an additional 765 children at 28 months of age. We detected a significant relationship between HPA axis activity and child development, where increased HPA axis activity was associated with poor development outcomes. Specifically, we found that cortisol reactivity (coefficient -0.15, 95% CI (-0.29, -0.01)) and post-stressor levels (coefficient -0.12, 95% CI (-0.24, -0.01)) were associated with CDI comprehension score, post-stressor cortisol was associated with combined EASQ score (coefficient -0.22, 95% CI (-0.41, -0.04), and overall glucocorticoid receptor methylation was associated with CDI expression score (coefficient -0.09, 95% CI (-0.17, -0.01)). We did not detect a significant relationship between SAM activity or oxidative status and child development. CONCLUSIONS Our observations reveal associations between the physiological evidence of stress in the HPA axis with developmental status in early childhood. These findings add to the existing evidence exploring the developmental consequences of early life stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew N Mertens
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Sophia T Tan
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Douglas A Granger
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience Research, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Helen O Pitchik
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Fahmida Tofail
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Ziaur Rahman
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Idan Shalev
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Shahjahan Ali
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Sunny Shahriar
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Gabrielle Shuman
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Abul K Shoab
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Salma Akther
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Saheen Hossen
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Palash Mutsuddi
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mahbubur Rahman
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Leanne Unicomb
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Kishor K Das
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | | | - Alan E Hubbard
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Kausar Parvin
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Stephen P Luby
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - John M Colford
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Lia C H Fernald
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Audrie Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
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Conklin QA, Zanesco AP, King BG, Epel ES, Saron CD. Changes in peripheral oxytocin and vasopressin during a silent month-long Insight meditation retreat. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1345527. [PMID: 38863930 PMCID: PMC11165068 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1345527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Given its putative roles in mediating prosocial behavior, attachment bonds, and stress physiology, oxytocin modulation has been hypothesized to be a biological correlate of the salubrious effects of meditation practice. Here we investigated the effects of a month-long silent meditation retreat on changes in oxytocin, and the related hormone and vasopressin, in relation to psychosocial changes in attachment style, anxiety, personality measures, and feelings of social connectedness with fellow meditators. Methods Plasma oxytocin and vasopressin and self-report questionnaires were measured in retreat participants (n = 28) at the beginning of, and 3 weeks into, a residential meditation retreat. Control participants (n = 34), who were similar in age, gender, and meditation experience, were also assessed across a 3-week interval. Linear mixed effects models were used to assess outcomes. Results The retreat group showed a small but significant decrease in oxytocin compared to controls who showed no change. In the retreat group, higher openness to experience at Time 1 predicted greater reductions in oxytocin during the retreat, and lower oxytocin at Time 2 was related to stronger feelings of personal connection with fellow meditators. The changes in oxytocin were not related to attachment style or anxiety. Vasopressin decreased over time across both groups, suggesting no specific effect of retreat. Conclusion These preliminary findings suggest that meditation training in the context of a silent residential retreat may reduce circulating levels of oxytocin. We interpret this finding from multiple theoretical perspectives, discussing key measurement limitations and proposing future study designs that may help to differentiate the effects of different meditation practices and contexts on oxytocin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quinn A. Conklin
- Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Anthony P. Zanesco
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Brandon G. King
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Elissa S. Epel
- Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Clifford D. Saron
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- The MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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5
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Mayo CO, Bendezú JJ, Wadsworth ME. Coping and empowerment preventive intervention buffers early adolescent neuroendocrine-related risk for internalizing problems. Biol Psychol 2024; 189:108802. [PMID: 38641161 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2024.108802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
There is an absence of mechanism-driven interventions equipped to reduce the large mental health disparities that exist for preadolescent youth living in poverty. Building a Strong Identity and Coping Skills (BaSICS) is a preventive intervention designed to target multiple aspects of poverty-related stress adaptation, including altered neuroendocrine function. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether pre-post shifts in preadolescent hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activation could longitudinally predict internalizing outcomes and to determine whether BaSICS could buffer such HPA-related risk for psychopathology. Low-income youth (n = 112) ages 11-12 years were randomized to the 16-session intervention or assessment-only control (53% intervention; 54% female; 40% Hispanic, 63% Black, 20% White). Youth completed questionnaires and the Trier Social Stress Test, and provided cortisol via saliva at six timepoints during the 90-minute assessment. Adjusting for pre-intervention Cortisol Area Under the Curve-Ground (CAUCg) scores and internalizing problems, post-intervention CAUCg and intervention main and interactive effects were modeled as predictors of internalizing outcomes across post-intervention, 6-month, and 12-month follow-up assessments using multilevel regression methods. A significant post-intervention CAUCg by intervention interaction emerged (B=1.198, SE=0.433, p = .006). For control youth, baseline-adjusted decreases in cortisol output were associated with increases in internalizing problems that remained stably elevated across follow-up assessments. For BaSICS youth, however, internalizing problems decreased and remained stably low following program delivery, irrespective of post-intervention increases or decreases in cortisol output. Findings illustrate how BaSICS may buffer against HPA-related risk for internalizing psychopathology and provide support for interventions targeting biological mechanisms of risk for low-income preadolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea O Mayo
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, 232 Moore Building, University Park, PA 16802, United States of America.
| | - Jason José Bendezú
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, 232 Moore Building, University Park, PA 16802, United States of America
| | - Martha E Wadsworth
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, 232 Moore Building, University Park, PA 16802, United States of America
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6
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Carriedo N, Rodríguez-Villagra OA, Moguilner S, Morales-Sepulveda JP, Huepe-Artigas D, Soto V, Franco-O’Byrne D, Ibáñez A, Bekinschtein TA, Huepe D. Cognitive, emotional, and social factors promoting psychosocial adaptation: a study of latent profiles in people living in socially vulnerable contexts. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1321242. [PMID: 38680276 PMCID: PMC11050042 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1321242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Social adaptation is a multifaceted process that encompasses cognitive, social, and affective factors. Previous research often focused on isolated variables, overlooking their interactions, especially in challenging environments. Our study addresses this by investigating how cognitive (working memory, verbal intelligence, self-regulation), social (affective empathy, family networks, loneliness), and psychological (locus of control, self-esteem, perceived stress) factors interact to influence social adaptation. Methods We analyzed data from 254 adults (55% female) aged 18 to 46 in economically vulnerable households in Santiago, Chile. We used Latent profile analysis (LPA) and machine learning to uncover distinct patters of socioadaptive features and identify the most discriminating features. Results LPA showed two distinct psychosocial adaptation profiles: one characterized by effective psychosocial adaptation and another by poor psychosocial adaptation. The adaptive profile featured individuals with strong emotional, cognitive, and behavioral self-regulation, an internal locus of control, high self-esteem, lower stress levels, reduced affective empathy, robust family support, and decreased loneliness. Conversely, the poorly adapted profile exhibited the opposite traits. Machine learning pinpointed six key differentiating factors in various adaptation pathways within the same vulnerable context: high self-esteem, cognitive and behavioral self-regulation, low stress levels, higher education, and increased social support. Discussion This research carries significant policy implications, highlighting the need to reinforce protective factors and psychological resources, such as self-esteem, self-regulation, and education, to foster effective adaptation in adversity. Additionally, we identified critical risk factors impacting social adaptation in vulnerable populations, advancing our understanding of this intricate phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Carriedo
- Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación, National Distance Education University (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Odir A. Rodríguez-Villagra
- Institute for Psychological Research, University of Costa Rica, Sabanilla, San José, Costa Rica
- Neuroscience Research Center, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Sebastián Moguilner
- Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Universidad de San Andrés, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Latin American Brain Health, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan Pablo Morales-Sepulveda
- University of Sydney Business School, Darlington, NSW, Australia
- Facultad de Educación Psicología y Familia, Universidad Finis Terrae, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniela Huepe-Artigas
- Facultad de Educación Psicología y Familia, Universidad Finis Terrae, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Social and Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile
| | - Vicente Soto
- Center for Social and Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniel Franco-O’Byrne
- Latin American Brain Health, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Social and Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile
| | - Agustín Ibáñez
- Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Cognitive Neuroscience Center, Universidad de San Andrés, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Latin American Brain Health, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Tristan A. Bekinschtein
- Cambridge Consciousness and Cognition Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - David Huepe
- Center for Social and Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile
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Burenkova OV, Grigorenko EL. The role of epigenetic mechanisms in the long-term effects of early-life adversity and mother-infant relationship on physiology and behavior of offspring in laboratory rats and mice. Dev Psychobiol 2024; 66:e22479. [PMID: 38470450 PMCID: PMC10959231 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Maternal care during the early postnatal period of altricial mammals is a key factor in the survival and adaptation of offspring to environmental conditions. Natural variations in maternal care and experimental manipulations with maternal-child relationships modeling early-life adversity (ELA) in laboratory rats and mice have a strong long-term influence on the physiology and behavior of offspring in rats and mice. This literature review is devoted to the latest research on the role of epigenetic mechanisms in these effects of ELA and mother-infant relationship, with a focus on the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. An important part of this review is dedicated to pharmacological interventions and epigenetic editing as tools for studying the causal role of epigenetic mechanisms in the development of physiological and behavioral profiles. A special section of the manuscript will discuss the translational potential of the discussed research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga V. Burenkova
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Texas Institute for Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elena L. Grigorenko
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Texas Institute for Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistics, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Cognitive Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
- Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics and Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Research Administration, Moscow State University for Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russia
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Suarez GL, Burt SA, Gard AM, Klump KL, Hyde LW. Exposure to community violence as a mechanism linking neighborhood disadvantage to amygdala reactivity and the protective role of parental nurturance. Dev Psychol 2024; 60:595-609. [PMID: 38386381 PMCID: PMC11197980 DOI: 10.1037/dev0001712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Emerging literature links neighborhood disadvantage to altered neural function in regions supporting socioemotional and threat processing. Few studies, however, have examined the proximal mechanisms through which neighborhood disadvantage is associated with neural functioning. In a sample of 7- to 19-year-old twins recruited from disadvantaged neighborhoods (354 families, 708 twins; 54.5% boys; 78.5% White, 13.0% Black, 8.5% other racial/ethnic group membership), we found that exposure to community violence was related to increased amygdala reactivity during socioemotional processing and may be one mechanism linking neighborhood disadvantage to amygdala functioning. Importantly, parenting behavior appeared to modulate these effects, such that high parental nurturance buffered the effect of exposure to community violence on amygdala reactivity. These findings elucidate the potential impact of exposure to community violence on brain function and highlight the role parents can play in protecting youth from the neural effects of exposure to adversity. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela L. Suarez
- Department of Psychology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109 USA
| | - S. Alexandra Burt
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824 USA
| | - Arianna M. Gard
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742 USA
| | - Kelly L. Klump
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824 USA
| | - Luke W. Hyde
- Department of Psychology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109 USA
- Survey Research Center at the Institute for Social Research; The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109 USA
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Abramson L, Callaghan BL, Silvers JA, Choy T, VanTieghem M, Vannucci A, Fields A, Tottenham N. The effects of parental presence on amygdala and mPFC activation during fear conditioning: An exploratory study. Dev Sci 2024:e13505. [PMID: 38549194 DOI: 10.1111/desc.13505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/30/2024]
Abstract
Learning safe versus dangerous cues is crucial for survival. During development, parents can influence fear learning by buffering their children's stress response and increasing exploration of potentially aversive stimuli. Rodent findings suggest that these behavioral effects are mediated through parental presence modulation of the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Here, we investigated whether similar parental modulation of amygdala and mPFC during fear learning occurs in humans. Using a within-subjects design, behavioral (final N = 48, 6-17 years, mean = 11.61, SD = 2.84, 60% females/40% males) and neuroimaging data (final N = 39, 6-17 years, mean = 12.03, SD = 2.98, 59% females/41% males) were acquired during a classical fear conditioning task, which included a CS+ followed by an aversive noise (US; 75% reinforcement rate) and a CS-. Conditioning occurred once in physical contact with the participant's parent and once alone (order counterbalanced). Region of interest analyses examined the unconditioned stress response by BOLD activation to the US (vs. implicit baseline) and learning by activation to the CS+ (vs. CS-). Results showed that during US presentation, parental presence reduced the centromedial amygdala activity, suggesting buffering of the unconditioned stress response. In response to learned stimuli, parental presence reduced mPFC activity to the CS+ (relative to the CS-), although this result did not survive multiple comparisons' correction. These preliminary findings indicate that parents modulate amygdala and mPFC activity during exposure to unconditioned and conditioned fear stimuli, potentially providing insight into the neural mechanisms by which parents act as a social buffer during fear learning. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: (1)This study used a within-participant experimental design to investigate how parental presence (vs. absence) affects youth's neural responses in a classical fear conditioning task. (2)Parental presence reduced the youth's centromedial amygdala activation to the unconditioned stimulus (US), suggesting parental buffering of the neural unconditioned response (UR). (3)Parental presence reduced the youth's mPFC activation to a conditioned threat cue (CS+) compared to a safety cue (CS-), suggesting possible parental modulation of fear learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lior Abramson
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University in the City of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Bridget L Callaghan
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jennifer A Silvers
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Tricia Choy
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University in the City of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michelle VanTieghem
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University in the City of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Anna Vannucci
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University in the City of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andrea Fields
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University in the City of New York, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nim Tottenham
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University in the City of New York, New York, New York, USA
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10
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Pape M, Miyagi M, Ritz SA, Boulicault M, Richardson SS, Maney DL. Sex contextualism in laboratory research: Enhancing rigor and precision in the study of sex-related variables. Cell 2024; 187:1316-1326. [PMID: 38490173 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Understanding sex-related variation in health and illness requires rigorous and precise approaches to revealing underlying mechanisms. A first step is to recognize that sex is not in and of itself a causal mechanism; rather, it is a classification system comprising a set of categories, usually assigned according to a range of varying traits. Moving beyond sex as a system of classification to working with concrete and measurable sex-related variables is necessary for precision. Whether and how these sex-related variables matter-and what patterns of difference they contribute to-will vary in context-specific ways. Second, when researchers incorporate these sex-related variables into research designs, rigorous analytical methods are needed to allow strongly supported conclusions. Third, the interpretation and reporting of sex-related variation require care to ensure that basic and preclinical research advance health equity for all.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Pape
- Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Miriam Miyagi
- Center for Computational Molecular Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Stacey A Ritz
- Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Marion Boulicault
- Department of Philosophy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - Sarah S Richardson
- Department of the History of Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Committee on Degrees in Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Donna L Maney
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Harvard-Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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11
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Tsomokos DI, Slavich GM. Bullying fosters interpersonal distrust and degrades adolescent mental health as predicted by Social Safety Theory. NATURE MENTAL HEALTH 2024; 2:328-336. [PMID: 38682098 PMCID: PMC11052587 DOI: 10.1038/s44220-024-00203-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Social Safety Theory predicts that socially threatening experiences such as bullying degrade mental health partly by fostering the belief that others cannot be trusted. Here we tested this prediction by examining how peer bullying in childhood impacted adolescent mental health, and whether this effect was mediated by interpersonal distrust and several other commonly studied mediators-namely diet, sleep and physical activity-in 10,000 youth drawn from the UK's Millennium Cohort Study. Youth bullied in childhood developed more internalizing, externalizing and total mental health problems in late adolescence, and this effect was partially mediated by interpersonal distrust during middle adolescence. Indeed, adolescents who developed greater distrust were approximately 3.5 times more likely to subsequently experience clinically significant mental health problems than those who developed less distrust. Individual and school-based interventions aimed at reducing the negative impact of bullying on mental health may thus benefit from bolstering youths' sense of trust in others.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - George M. Slavich
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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12
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Breton JM, Cort Z, Demaestri C, Critz M, Nevins S, Downend K, Ofray D, Romeo RD, Bath KG. Early life adversity reduces affiliative behavior with a stressed cagemate and leads to sex-specific alterations in corticosterone responses in adult mice. Horm Behav 2024; 158:105464. [PMID: 38070354 PMCID: PMC10872397 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Experiencing early life adversity (ELA) alters stress physiology and increases the risk for developing psychiatric disorders. The social environment can influence dynamics of stress responding and buffer and/or transfer stress across individuals. Yet, the impact of ELA on sensitivity to the stress of others and social behavior following stress is unknown. Here, to test the impact of ELA on social and physiological responses to stress, circulating blood corticosterone (CORT) and social behaviors were assessed in adult male and female mice reared under limited bedding and nesting (LBN) or control conditions. To induce stress, one cagemate of a pair-housed cage underwent a footshock paradigm and was then returned to their unshocked partner. CORT was measured in both groups of mice 20 or 90 min after stress exposure, and social behaviors were recorded and analyzed. ELA rearing influenced the CORT response to stress in a sex-specific manner. In males, both control and ELA-reared mice exhibited similar stress transfer to unshocked cagemates and similar CORT dynamics. In contrast, ELA females showed a heightened stress transfer to unshocked cagemates, and sustained elevation of CORT relative to controls, indicating enhanced stress contagion and a failure to terminate the stress response. Behaviorally, ELA females displayed decreased allogrooming and increased investigative behaviors, while ELA males showed reduced huddling. Together, these findings demonstrate that ELA influenced HPA axis dynamics, social stress contagion and social behavior. Further research is needed to unravel the underlying mechanisms and long-term consequences of ELA on stress systems and their impact on behavioral outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyn M Breton
- Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA; New York State Psychiatric Institute, Division of Developmental Neuroscience, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Zoey Cort
- Barnard College of Columbia University, Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, New York, NY, USA
| | - Camila Demaestri
- Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA
| | - Madalyn Critz
- Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA; New York State Psychiatric Institute, Division of Developmental Neuroscience, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Samuel Nevins
- Brown University, Department of Cognitive, Linguistic and Psychological Sciences, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Kendall Downend
- Barnard College of Columbia University, Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dayshalis Ofray
- Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA; New York State Psychiatric Institute, Division of Developmental Neuroscience, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Russell D Romeo
- Barnard College of Columbia University, Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kevin G Bath
- Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA; New York State Psychiatric Institute, Division of Developmental Neuroscience, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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13
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Myroniuk S, Reitsema AM, de Jonge P, Jeronimus BF. Childhood abuse and neglect and profiles of adult emotion dynamics. Dev Psychopathol 2024:1-19. [PMID: 38196323 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579423001530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment (CM) is experienced by ∼40% of all children at major personal and societal costs. The divergent associations between emotional, physical, and sexual abuse or neglect in childhood and differences in adult emotional functioning and regulation were examined in terms of daily emotion intensity, variability, instability, inertia, and diversity, reported over 30 days by 290 Dutch aged 19-73. Participants described their abuse/neglect experiences retrospectively using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Dissecting CM effects on adult emotion dynamics may inform theories on the ontogenesis and functioning of emotions, on effects of abuse and neglect, to better understand (dys)functional emotional development, and to prevent their adverse sequelae. Structural equation models (SEM) showed that most types of CM were associated with specific patterns of emotion dynamics, and only emotional abuse had no unique effects on the emotional dynamic indices. Emotional neglect was associated with most measures of emotion dynamics (i.e., less intense, variable, unstable, and diverse emotions). Sexual abuse associated with increases and physical neglect decreases in negative affect variability and instability. Physical abuse was associated with inertia but with a small effect size. Social contact frequency did not mediate much of the relationship between CM types and emotion dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Myroniuk
- Department of Developmental Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - A M Reitsema
- Department of Developmental Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Developmental Psychology, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - P de Jonge
- Department of Developmental Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - B F Jeronimus
- Department of Developmental Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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14
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Filetti C, Kane-Grade F, Gunnar M. The Development of Stress Reactivity and Regulation in Children and Adolescents. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:395-419. [PMID: 37559538 PMCID: PMC10845082 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230808120504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Adversity experienced in early life can have detrimental effects on physical and mental health. One pathway in which these effects occur is through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a key physiological stress-mediating system. In this review, we discuss the theoretical perspectives that guide stress reactivity and regulation research, the anatomy and physiology of the axis, developmental changes in the axis and its regulation, brain systems regulating stress, the role of genetic and epigenetics variation in axis development, sensitive periods in stress system calibration, the social regulation of stress (i.e., social buffering), and emerging research areas in the study of stress physiology and development. Understanding the development of stress reactivity and regulation is crucial for uncovering how early adverse experiences influence mental and physical health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa Filetti
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Finola Kane-Grade
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Megan Gunnar
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
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15
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Modde Epstein C, Rice MJ, French JA, Kupzyk KA, Houfek JF. Social Support Buffers the Effects of Prenatal Depressed Mood: A Mixed-Methods Study. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc 2024; 30:95-107. [PMID: 35081823 DOI: 10.1177/10783903211073793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Women use various coping strategies to deal with stress and depression. These strategies are shaped by social contexts over the life course and may attenuate and/or exacerbate the physiologic effects of depression. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine whether coping strategies (active, disengaged, or social support coping) moderate depression-related diurnal cortisol dysregulation and to explore how social context influences women's use of coping. METHODS: This was a mixed-methods study of pregnant women (N = 65) during mid-pregnancy. Cortisol was measured in saliva collected during the waking hours of the day. Participants completed the Edinburgh Depression Scale and the Brief COPE. A subset of the sample participated in semistructured qualitative interviews (n = 20). RESULTS: Social support coping, but not active or disengaged coping, moderated end-of-day cortisol levels. Among depressed women, higher use of social support was associated with lower and more dynamic (i.e., less flat) diurnal cortisol rhythms. The qualitative findings revealed how complex social dynamics related to financial insecurity, lack of mutuality, and social identity affected women's use of and access to social support. CONCLUSION: These findings support theories of the stress-buffering effects of social support. Future research is needed to examine how social determinants affect access to social support, and how early life social experiences condition women's adaptive formation of social support coping strategies over the life course. Clinically, these findings underscore the value of relationship-centered nursing care for depressed women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal Modde Epstein
- Crystal Modde Epstein, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA; University of North Carolina Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - Michael J Rice
- Michael J. Rice, PhD, APRN-NP, FAAN, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jeffrey A French
- Jeffrey A. French, PhD, University of Nebraska at Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Kevin A Kupzyk
- Kevin A. Kupzyk, PhD, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Julia F Houfek
- Julia F. Houfek, PhD, APRN-CNS, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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16
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Cascino G, Monteleone AM. Early traumatic experiences and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis in people with eating disorders: A narrative review. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 159:106665. [PMID: 37944210 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to trauma during childhood is a non-specific risk factor for psychiatric disorders, including eating disorders (EDs), over the life course. Moreover, an association between stressful life events and the onset/maintenance of EDs has been documented. Therefore, the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, namely the main component of the endogenous stress response system, has been proposed to be implicated in the pathophysiology of EDs. In this narrative review the current knowledge concerning the effects of early trauma exposure on the HPA axis activity and their putative role in the pathophysiology of EDs will be illustrated. Research findings corroborate the idea that childhood trauma exposure has long-lasting dysregulating effects on the activity of the HPA axis, which may contribute to the biological background of the early trauma-related risk for the development of EDs across the life span. Moreover, literature data support the existence of a "maltreated ecophenotype" in EDs characterized by specific clinic and neuroendocrine features, which may have important implications in treatment programming for such a type of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giammarco Cascino
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
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17
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Bartoš L, Esattore B, Kotrba R, Pluháček J, Ceacero F, Komárková M, Dušek A, Bartošová J. The effects of challenge or social buffering on cortisol, testosterone, and antler growth in captive red deer (Cervus elaphus) males. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21856. [PMID: 38071205 PMCID: PMC10710442 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48476-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
We equipped 17 captive red deer males (Cervus elaphus) with GPS collars to measure inter-individual distances throughout the 5-months of the antler growth period. We expected some individuals to associate regularly with others while others would not. We predicted that males aggregating with others within a socially stable environment (Associates) would benefit from a form of "social buffering" and would likely have lowered cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) concentrations. Males only irregularly joining social groupings would experience elevated levels of aggression; according to the "Challenge hypothesis", their T and C concentrations should increase. Interacting with a higher proportion of Associates did indeed reduce C concentrations. Conversely, avoiding Associates and challenging other males stimulated the T secretion. Admittedly, males avoiding regular proximity to others tended to develop the largest antlers. They probably benefited from frequent successful agonistic threats to conspecifics, resulting in elevated T concentrations. Regular association with tolerant, conspecifics and "social buffering" did not seem sufficient for producing larger antlers despite reducing C concentrations. Alternative social strategies were adopted within the same group of individuals and showed how the trade-off between these strategies could have an essential impact on C and T concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luděk Bartoš
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, Praha Uhříneves, 10400, Czech Republic.
- Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 16521, Praha 6, Czech Republic.
| | - Bruno Esattore
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, Praha Uhříneves, 10400, Czech Republic
- Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, 16521, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Radim Kotrba
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, Praha Uhříneves, 10400, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Pluháček
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, Praha Uhříneves, 10400, Czech Republic
| | - Francisco Ceacero
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 16521, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Komárková
- Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 16521, Praha 6, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Dušek
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, Praha Uhříneves, 10400, Czech Republic
| | - Jitka Bartošová
- Department of Ethology, Institute of Animal Science, Přátelství 815, Praha Uhříneves, 10400, Czech Republic
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18
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Lyons-Ruth K, Li FH, Khoury JE, Ahtam B, Sisitsky M, Ou Y, Enlow MB, Grant E. Maternal Childhood Abuse Versus Neglect Associated with Differential Patterns of Infant Brain Development. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2023; 51:1919-1932. [PMID: 37160577 PMCID: PMC10661793 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-023-01041-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Severity of maternal childhood maltreatment has been associated with lower infant grey matter volume and amygdala volume during the first two years of life. A developing literature argues that effects of threat (abuse) and of deprivation (neglect) should be assessed separately because these distinct aspects of adversity may have different impacts on developmental outcomes. However, distinct effects of threat versus deprivation have not been assessed in relation to intergenerational effects of child maltreatment. The objective of this study was to separately assess the links of maternal childhood abuse and neglect with infant grey matter volume (GMV), white matter volume (WMV), amygdala and hippocampal volume. Participants included 57 mother-infant dyads. Mothers were assessed for childhood abuse and neglect using the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire in a sample enriched for childhood maltreatment. Between 4 and 24 months (M age = 12.28 months, SD = 5.99), under natural sleep, infants completed an MRI using a 3.0 T Siemens scanner. GMV, WMV, amygdala and hippocampal volumes were extracted via automated segmentation. Maternal history of neglect, but not abuse, was associated with lower infant GMV. Maternal history of abuse, but not neglect, interacted with age such that abuse was associated with smaller infant amygdala volume at older ages. Results are consistent with a threat versus deprivation framework, in which threat impacts limbic regions central to the stress response, whereas deprivation impacts areas more central to cognitive function. Further studies are needed to identify mechanisms contributing to these differential intergenerational associations of threat versus deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlen Lyons-Ruth
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge Hospital, 1493 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Frances Haofei Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge Hospital, 1493 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer E Khoury
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge Hospital, 1493 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Psychology, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Banu Ahtam
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michaela Sisitsky
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yangming Ou
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michelle Bosquet Enlow
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ellen Grant
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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19
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Gee DG, Cohodes EM. Leveraging the developmental neuroscience of caregiving to promote resilience among youth exposed to adversity. Dev Psychopathol 2023; 35:2168-2185. [PMID: 37929292 PMCID: PMC10872788 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579423001128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Early adversity is a major risk factor for the emergence of psychopathology across development. Identifying mechanisms that support resilience, or favorable mental health outcomes despite exposure to adversity, is critical for informing clinical intervention and guiding policy to promote youth mental health. Here we propose that caregivers play a central role in fostering resilience among children exposed to adversity via caregiving influences on children's corticolimbic circuitry and emotional functioning. We first delineate the numerous ways that caregivers support youth emotional learning and regulation and describe how early attachment lays the foundation for optimal caregiver support of youth emotional functioning in a developmental stage-specific manner. Second, we outline neural mechanisms by which caregivers foster resilience-namely, by modulating offspring corticolimbic circuitry to support emotion regulation and buffer stress reactivity. Next, we highlight the importance of developmental timing and sensitive periods in understanding caregiving-related mechanisms of resilience. Finally, we discuss clinical implications of this line of research and how findings can be translated to guide policy that promotes the well-being of youth and families.
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20
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Vacaru SV, Parenteau AM, Yi S, Silvers JA, Hostinar CE, de Weerth C. Adolescents' hair cortisol concentrations during COVID-19: Evidence from two longitudinal studies in the Netherlands and the United States. Dev Psychobiol 2023; 65:e22438. [PMID: 38010307 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prolonged stress exposure is associated with alterations in cortisol output. The COVID-19 pandemic represented a stressor for many, including children. However, a high-quality caregiving environment may protect against psychological problems and possibly against elevations in cortisol. We examined adolescents' physiological stress responses to the pandemic and the role of attachment in two longitudinal samples from the Netherlands and the United States (https://aspredicted.org/HHY_8MK). METHODS Cortisol was assessed from hair samples before and during the pandemic, while attachment was self-reported prepandemic. Study 1 included a Dutch sample (N = 158; examined at ages 10 and later at 14 years old), whereas Study 2 included a US sample (N = 153; examined at ages 9-11 and again 2 years later) and an age-matched prepandemic sample (N = 29, 10-13 years old). Repeated-measures analyses of variance examined changes in cortisol from prepandemic to during the pandemic and the effect of attachment in each sample separately. RESULTS After accounting for age, both studies revealed nonsignificant changes in hair cortisol and a nonsignificant effect of attachment. A significant effect of sex emerged in Study 1, with Dutch girls showing a significant cortisol increase during the pandemic, which was not explained by puberty. CONCLUSION These findings suggest differential associations of the pandemic with hair cortisol increases by sex and country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania V Vacaru
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Child and Family Studies & Amsterdam Public Health, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anna M Parenteau
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Sydney Yi
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Jennifer A Silvers
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Camelia E Hostinar
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Carolina de Weerth
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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21
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Howland MA. Recalibration of the stress response system over adult development: Is there a perinatal recalibration period? Dev Psychopathol 2023; 35:2315-2337. [PMID: 37641984 PMCID: PMC10901284 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579423000998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
During early life-sensitive periods (i.e., fetal, infancy), the developing stress response system adaptively calibrates to match environmental conditions, whether harsh or supportive. Recent evidence suggests that puberty is another window when the stress system is open to recalibration if environmental conditions have shifted significantly. Whether additional periods of recalibration exist in adulthood remains to be established. The present paper draws parallels between childhood (re)calibration periods and the perinatal period to hypothesize that this phase may be an additional window of stress recalibration in adult life. Specifically, the perinatal period (defined here to include pregnancy, lactation, and early parenthood) is also a developmental switch point characterized by heightened neural plasticity and marked changes in stress system function. After discussing these similarities, lines of empirical evidence needed to substantiate the perinatal stress recalibration hypothesis are proposed, and existing research support is reviewed. Complexities and challenges related to delineating the boundaries of perinatal stress recalibration and empirically testing this hypothesis are discussed, as well as possibilities for future multidisciplinary research. In the theme of this special issue, perinatal stress recalibration may be a mechanism of multilevel, multisystem risk, and resilience, both intra-individually and intergenerationally, with implications for optimizing interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariann A Howland
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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22
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Law C, Belli GM, Boisseau CL. Characteristics Associated With Loneliness and Coping Skills Utilization During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Psychol Rep 2023; 126:2690-2706. [PMID: 35503873 PMCID: PMC9086204 DOI: 10.1177/00332941221093744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Although stay-at-home orders and physical distancing measures are vital to managing the COVID-19 outbreak, there is concern these limitations on in-person contact may increase feelings of loneliness. The present study examined loneliness in relation to living situation, psychiatric symptoms, and coping skills utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim was to identify demographic and psychological factors that may contribute to greater feelings of loneliness. A sample of 125 adults (18 years and older) completed measures on loneliness, psychiatric symptoms, and coping skills in September 2020. Multiple regression analysis indicated living situation moderates the relationship between hours spent having remote conversations and loneliness. Remote conversation hours were associated with decreased loneliness in those living alone but was not associated with loneliness in those living with others. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that substance use and self-blame were associated with increased loneliness whereas the use of emotional support to cope with pandemic-related stress was associated with decreased loneliness. The current study highlights the importance of finding alternative ways to remain socially connected, particularly for those living alone. Increasing access to videoconferencing technology and promoting help-seeking behaviors may be a promising approach to manage loneliness during times of increased social isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Law
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine,
Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gina M. Belli
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine,
Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Christina L. Boisseau
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine,
Chicago, IL, USA
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23
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Kimonis ER. The Emotionally Sensitive Child-Adverse Parenting Experiences-Allostatic (Over)Load (ESCAPE-AL) Model for the Development of Secondary Psychopathic Traits. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2023; 26:1097-1114. [PMID: 37735279 PMCID: PMC10640461 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-023-00455-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Understanding and treatment of antisocial behavior have improved through efforts to subtype individuals based on similar risk factors and outcomes. In particular, the presence of psychopathic traits is associated with distinct etiological factors and antisocial behavior that begins early in life, is aggressive, persistent, and less likely to normalize with traditional treatments, relative to individuals low on psychopathy or its childhood precursor, callous-unemotional (CU) traits. However, important distinctions can be made within individuals with CU/psychopathic traits according to the presence of elevated anxiety symptoms and/or adverse childhood experiences, known as secondary psychopathy/CU traits. This paper provides a broad and brief overview of theory and empirical literature supporting the existence of secondary psychopathy/CU variants as a distinct subtype of childhood antisocial behavior. It outlines the Emotionally Sensitive Child-Adverse Parenting Experiences-Allostatic (Over)Load (ESCAPE-AL) model for the developmental psychopathology of secondary psychopathic/CU traits and discusses research and theory supporting this perspective. Future research directions for testing this conceptual model and its implications for assessing and treating high-risk individuals with secondary CU/psychopathic traits are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva R Kimonis
- Parent-Child Research Clinic, School of Psychology, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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24
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Barr GA, Opendak M, Perry RE, Sarro E, Sullivan RM. Infant pain vs. pain with parental suppression: Immediate and enduring impact on brain, pain and affect. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290871. [PMID: 37972112 PMCID: PMC10653509 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the short term, parental presence while a human infant is in pain buffers the immediate pain responses, although emerging evidence suggests repeated social buffering of pain may have untoward long-term effects. METHODS/FINDING To explore the short- and long-term impacts of social buffering of pain, we first measured the infant rat pup's [postnatal day (PN) 8, or 12] response to mild tail shock with the mother present compared to shock alone or no shock. Shock with the mother reduced pain-related behavioral activation and USVs of pups at both ages and reduced Fos expression in the periaqueductal gray, hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, and the amygdala at PN12 only. At PN12, shock with the mother compared to shock alone differentially regulated expression of several hundred genes related to G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and neural development, whereas PN8 pups showed a less robust and less coherent expression pattern. In a second set of experiments, pups were exposed to daily repeated Shock-mother pairings (or controls) at PN5-9 or PN10-14 (during and after pain sensitive period, respectively) and long-term outcome assessed in adults. Shock+mother pairing at PN5-9 reduced adult carrageenan-induced thermal hyperalgesia and reduced Fos expression, but PN10-14 pairings had minimal impact. The effect of infant treatment on adult affective behavior showed a complex treatment by age dependent effect. Adult social behavior was decreased following Shock+mother pairings at both PN5-9 and PN10-14, whereas shock alone had no effect. Adult fear responses to a predator odor were decreased only by PN10-14 treatment and the infant Shock alone and Shock+mother did not differ. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Overall, integrating these results into our understanding of long-term programming by repeated infant pain experiences, the data suggest that pain experienced within a social context impacts infant neurobehavioral responses and initiates an altered developmental trajectory of pain and affect processing that diverges from experiencing pain alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon A. Barr
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Maya Opendak
- Child Study Center, Center for Early Childhood Health & Development, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, New York, United States of America
| | - Rosemarie E. Perry
- Child Study Center, Center for Early Childhood Health & Development, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, New York, United States of America
| | - Emma Sarro
- Child Study Center, Center for Early Childhood Health & Development, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, New York, United States of America
| | - Regina M. Sullivan
- Child Study Center, Center for Early Childhood Health & Development, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, New York, United States of America
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Ramos C, Pereira AF, Feher A, Baptista J. How does sensitivity influence early executive function? A critical review on hot and cool processes. Infant Behav Dev 2023; 73:101895. [PMID: 37856950 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2023.101895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
There is compelling evidence that the quality of caregiver-child interactions during toddlerhood and the preschool years supports the development of executive function (EF) (Bernier et al., 2010; 2015; 2016; Fay-Stammbach et al., 2014; Geeraerts et al., 2021). Based on such findings, we make the case herein that sensitivity may be one of the most important dimensions of parenting contributing to early EF. In the present article, we will review empirical evidence, integrating findings from a wide range of scientific disciplines - cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and developmental psychopathology - and present theoretical ideas about how two contexts of sensitive caregiving - i.e. sensitivity to distress and non-distress cues - may be contributing differently to hot and cool EF development. Implications for future investigations on the environmental contributors of early EF, and its mechanisms, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Ramos
- Iscte-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, CIS-Iscte, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Alfredo F Pereira
- NOVA School of Science and Technology, Center of Technology and Systems (UNINOVA-CTS), NOVA University Lisbon.
| | - Amber Feher
- Iscte-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, CIS-Iscte, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Joana Baptista
- Iscte-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, CIS-Iscte, Lisboa, Portugal.
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Jones-Mason K, Coccia M, Alkon A, Melanie Thomas KCP, Laraia B, Adler N, Epel ES, Bush NR. Parental sensitivity modifies the associations between maternal prenatal stress exposure, autonomic nervous system functioning and infant temperament in a diverse, low-income sample. Attach Hum Dev 2023; 25:487-523. [PMID: 37749913 DOI: 10.1080/14616734.2023.2257669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Evidence suggests that adversity experienced during fetal development may shape infant physiologic functioning and temperament. Parental sensitivity is associated with child stress regulation and may act as a buffer against risk for intergenerational health effects of pre- or postnatal adversity. Building upon prior evidence in a racially and ethnically diverse sample of infants (M infant age = 6.5 months) and women of low socioeconomic status, this study examined whether coded parenting sensitivity moderated the association between an objective measure of prenatal stress exposures (Stressful Life Events (SLE)) and infant parasympathetic (respiratory sinus arrhythmia; RSA) or sympathetic (pre-ejection period; PEP) nervous system functioning assessed during administration of the Still-Face-Paradigm (SFP) (n = 66), as well as maternal report of temperament (n = 154). Results showed that parental sensitivity moderated the associations between prenatal stress exposures and infant RSA reactivity, RSA recovery, PEP recovery, and temperamental negativity. Findings indicate that greater parental sensitivity is associated with lower infant autonomic nervous system reactivity and greater recovery from challenge. Results support the hypothesis that parental sensitivity buffers infants from the risk of prenatal stress exposure associations with offspring cross-system physiologic reactivity and regulation, potentially shaping trajectories of health and development and promoting resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Jones-Mason
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Michael Coccia
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Abbey Alkon
- School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | | | - Barbara Laraia
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, USA
| | - Nancy Adler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Elissa S Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Nicole R Bush
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, USA
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27
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Melanson CA, Lamarre SG, Currie S. Social experience influences thermal sensitivity: lessons from an amphibious mangrove fish. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb245656. [PMID: 37470196 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.245656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the factors affecting the capacity of ectothermic fishes to cope with warming temperature is critical given predicted climate change scenarios. We know that a fish's social environment introduces plasticity in how it responds to high temperature. However, the magnitude of this plasticity and the mechanisms underlying socially modulated thermal responses are unknown. Using the amphibious hermaphroditic mangrove rivulus fish Kryptolebias marmoratus as a model, we tested three hypotheses: (1) social stimulation affects physiological and behavioural thermal responses of isogenic lineages of fish; (2) social experience and acute social stimulation result in distinct physiological and behavioural responses; and (3) a desensitization of thermal receptors is responsible for socially modulated thermal responses. To test the first two hypotheses, we measured the temperature at which fish emerged from the water (i.e. pejus temperature) upon acute warming with socially naive isolated fish and with fish that were raised alone and then given a short social experience prior to exposure to increasing temperature (i.e. socially experienced fish). Our results did not support our first hypothesis as fish socially stimulated by mirrors during warming (i.e. acute social stimulation) emerged at similar temperatures to isolated fish. However, in support of our second hypothesis, a short period of prior social experience resulted in fish emerging at a higher temperature than socially naive fish suggesting an increase in pejus temperature with social experience. To test our third hypothesis, we exposed fish that had been allowed a brief social interaction and naive fish to capsaicin, an agonist of TRPV1 thermal receptors. Socially experienced fish emerged at significantly higher capsaicin concentrations than socially naive fish suggesting a desensitization of their TRPV1 thermal receptors. Collectively, our data indicate that past and present social experiences impact the behavioural response of fish to high temperature. We also provide novel data suggesting that brief periods of social experience affect the capacity of fish to perceive warm temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé A Melanson
- Département de biologie, Université de Moncton, New Brunswick, E1A 3E9, Canada
| | - Simon G Lamarre
- Département de biologie, Université de Moncton, New Brunswick, E1A 3E9, Canada
| | - Suzanne Currie
- Department of Biology, Acadia University, Nova Scotia, B4P 2R6, Canada
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Lyons‐Ruth K, Ahtam B, Li FH, Dickerman S, Khoury JE, Sisitsky M, Ou Y, Bosquet Enlow M, Teicher MH, Grant PE. Negative versus withdrawn maternal behavior: Differential associations with infant gray and white matter during the first 2 years of life. Hum Brain Mapp 2023; 44:4572-4589. [PMID: 37417795 PMCID: PMC10365238 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Distinct neural effects of threat versus deprivation emerge by childhood, but little data are available in infancy. Withdrawn versus negative parenting may represent dimensionalized indices of early deprivation versus early threat, but no studies have assessed neural correlates of withdrawn versus negative parenting in infancy. The objective of this study was to separately assess the links of maternal withdrawal and maternal negative/inappropriate interaction with infant gray matter volume (GMV), white matter volume (WMV), amygdala, and hippocampal volume. Participants included 57 mother-infant dyads. Withdrawn and negative/inappropriate aspects of maternal behavior were coded from the Still-Face Paradigm at four months infant age. Between 4 and 24 months (M age = 12.28 months, SD = 5.99), during natural sleep, infants completed an MRI using a 3.0 T Siemens scanner. GMV, WMV, amygdala, and hippocampal volumes were extracted via automated segmentation. Diffusion weighted imaging volumetric data were also generated for major white matter tracts. Maternal withdrawal was associated with lower infant GMV. Negative/inappropriate interaction was associated with lower overall WMV. Age did not moderate these effects. Maternal withdrawal was further associated with reduced right hippocampal volume at older ages. Exploratory analyses of white matter tracts found that negative/inappropriate maternal behavior was specifically associated with reduced volume in the ventral language network. Results suggest that quality of day-to-day parenting is related to infant brain volumes during the first two years of life, with distinct aspects of interaction associated with distinct neural effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlen Lyons‐Ruth
- Department of PsychiatryCambridge Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Banu Ahtam
- Fetal‐Neonatal Neuroimaging & Developmental Science Center, Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Frances Haofei Li
- Department of PsychiatryCambridge Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Sarah Dickerman
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jennifer E. Khoury
- Department of PsychiatryCambridge Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
- Present address:
Department of PsychologyMount Saint Vincent UniversityHalifaxNova ScotiaCanada
| | - Michaela Sisitsky
- Fetal‐Neonatal Neuroimaging & Developmental Science Center, Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Yangming Ou
- Fetal‐Neonatal Neuroimaging & Developmental Science Center, Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Radiology, Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Michelle Bosquet Enlow
- Department of PsychiatryCambridge Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Martin H. Teicher
- Department of PsychiatryMcLean Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBelmontMassachusettsUSA
| | - P. Ellen Grant
- Fetal‐Neonatal Neuroimaging & Developmental Science Center, Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
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Orui J, Shiraiwa K, Tazaki F, Inoue T, Ueda M, Ueno K, Naito Y, Ishii R. Social Buffering Effects during Craft Activities in Parallel Group Session Revealed by EEG Analysis and Parasympathetic Activity. Neuropsychobiology 2023; 82:287-299. [PMID: 37562371 PMCID: PMC10614439 DOI: 10.1159/000531005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The therapeutic structure of occupational therapy (OT) includes groups. Although the presence of others is expected to be relaxing due to the social buffering effect and the tend and befriend theory, it has not been sufficiently validated in accordance with the therapeutic structure of OT. The aim of this study was to investigate the electrophysiological evidence for the effectiveness of parallel groups and states of concentration on craft activities used in OT. METHODS Thirty healthy young adults were used as controls to measure EEG and autonomic activity during craft activities in three conditions: alone, parallel, and nonparallel. EEG was analyzed using exact low-resolution electromagnetic tomography, and autonomic activity was analyzed using Lorenz plot analysis. RESULTS Parasympathetic activity was significantly higher in the parallel condition than in the alone condition. A significant negative correlation was found between current source density and parasympathetic activity in the region centered on the right insular cortex in the α1 band, and functional connectivity in regions including the anterior cingulate cortex and insular cortex was associated with autonomic activity. CONCLUSION Craft activities that occurred during frontal midline theta rhythm also increased parasympathetic activity. The results suggest that the parallel groups used in OT and the intensive state of craft activities induce a social buffering effect that increases parasympathetic activity despite the absence of physical contact or social support. This provides evidence for the effectiveness of the therapeutic structure of occupational activities and groups in OT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junya Orui
- Department of Rehabilitation, Osaka Kawasaki Rehabilitation University, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Rehabilitation Science, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keigo Shiraiwa
- Department of Rehabilitation, Osaka Kawasaki Rehabilitation University, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Rehabilitation Science, Osaka, Japan
| | - Fumie Tazaki
- Department of Rehabilitation, Osaka Kawasaki Rehabilitation University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takao Inoue
- Department of Rehabilitation, Osaka Kawasaki Rehabilitation University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masaya Ueda
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Rehabilitation Science, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keita Ueno
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Rehabilitation Science, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yasuo Naito
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Rehabilitation Science, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryouhei Ishii
- Department of Rehabilitation, Osaka Kawasaki Rehabilitation University, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Rehabilitation Science, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
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30
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Tsotsi S, Borelli JL, Backer M, Veragoo N, Abdulla N, Tan KH, Chong YS, Chen H, Meaney MJ, Broekman B, Rifkin-Graboi A. Preschoolers' emotion reactivity and regulation: Links with maternal psychological distress and child behavior problems. Dev Psychopathol 2023; 35:1079-1091. [PMID: 34779373 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579421000936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Maladaptive offspring emotion regulation has been identified as one pathway linking maternal and child psychological well-being in school-aged children. Whether such a pathway is present earlier in life still remains unclear. The present study investigated the role of preschoolers' emotion reactivity and regulation in the association between maternal psychological distress and child internalizing and externalizing problems. Children's emotion reactivity and regulation were assessed through both observed behavior and physiology. At 42 months of age, children (n = 251; 128 girls) completed a fear induction task during which their heart-rate variability was assessed and their behavior was monitored, and maternal self-reports on depressive mood and anxiety were collected. At 48 months mothers and fathers reported on their children's internalizing and externalizing problems. Higher maternal depressive mood was associated with lower child fear-related reactivity and regulation, as indexed by heart-rate variability. The latter mediated the association between higher maternal depressive mood and higher preschoolers' externalizing problems. Overall, our findings support the role of preschoolers' emotion reactivity and regulation in the relationship between maternal psychological distress and children's socio-emotional difficulties. This role may also depend on the discrete emotion to which children react or seek to regulate as, here, we only assessed fear-related reactivity and regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Tsotsi
- 1PROMENTA Research Centre, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jessica L Borelli
- 2Department of Psychology and Social Behavior, School of Social Ecologgy, University of California, Irvine, USA
| | - Mumtaz Backer
- 3Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Noraini Veragoo
- 3Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nurshuhadah Abdulla
- 3Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kok Hian Tan
- 4Department of Psychological Medicine, Kandang Kerbau Women and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yap Seng Chong
- 3Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- 5Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Helen Chen
- 4Department of Psychological Medicine, Kandang Kerbau Women and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- 6Faculty of Pediatrics, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michael J Meaney
- 7Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Birit Broekman
- 8Department of Psychiatry, OLVG and Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anne Rifkin-Graboi
- 9Centre for Research in Child Development, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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31
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Taylor CT, Campbell-Sills L, Kessler RC, Sun X, Nock MK, Ursano RJ, Jain S, Stein MB. Social network size and personality traits independently and prospectively predict distress disorders and suicidal behavior in U.S. Army soldiers. Psychol Med 2023; 53:5081-5090. [PMID: 35979895 PMCID: PMC9938080 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722002082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Personality traits (e.g. neuroticism) and the social environment predict risk for internalizing disorders and suicidal behavior. Studying these characteristics together and prospectively within a population confronted with high stressor exposure (e.g. U.S. Army soldiers) has not been done, yet could uncover unique and interactive predictive effects that may inform prevention and early intervention efforts. METHODS Five broad personality traits and social network size were assessed via self-administered questionnaires among experienced soldiers preparing for deployment (N = 4645) and new soldiers reporting for basic training (N = 6216). Predictive models examined associations of baseline personality and social network variables with recent distress disorders or suicidal behaviors assessed 3- and 9-months post-deployment and approximately 5 years following enlistment. RESULTS Among the personality traits, elevated neuroticism was consistently associated with increased mental health risk following deployment. Small social networks were also associated with increased mental health risk following deployment, beyond the variance accounted for by personality. Limited support was found for social network size moderating the association between personality and mental health outcomes. Small social networks also predicted distress disorders and suicidal behavior 5 years following enlistment, whereas unique effects of personality traits on these more distal outcomes were rare. CONCLUSIONS Heightened neuroticism and small social networks predict a greater risk for negative mental health sequelae, especially following deployment. Social ties may mitigate adverse impacts of personality traits on psychopathology in some contexts. Early identification and targeted intervention for these distinct, modifiable factors may decrease the risk of distress disorders and suicidal behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles T. Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Ronald C. Kessler
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xiaoying Sun
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Matthew K. Nock
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Robert J. Ursano
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sonia Jain
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Murray B. Stein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
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Breton JM, Cort Z, Demaestri C, Critz M, Nevins S, Downend K, Ofray D, Romeo RD, Bath KG. Early life adversity reduces affiliative behavior towards a distressed cagemate and leads to sex-specific alterations in corticosterone responses. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.20.549876. [PMID: 37502995 PMCID: PMC10370200 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.20.549876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Experiencing early life adversity (ELA) alters stress physiology and increases the risk for developing psychiatric disorders. The social environment can influence dynamics of stress responding and buffer and/or transfer stress across individuals. Yet, the impact of ELA on sensitivity to the stress of others and social behavior following stress is unknown. Here, to test the impact of ELA on social and physiological responses to stress, circulating blood corticosterone (CORT) and social behaviors were assessed in adult male and female mice reared under limited bedding and nesting (LBN) or control conditions. To induce stress, one cagemate of a pair-housed cage underwent a footshock paradigm and was then returned to their unshocked partner. CORT was measured in both mice 20 or 90 minutes after stress exposure, and social behaviors were recorded and analyzed. ELA rearing influenced the CORT response to stress in a sex-specific manner. In males, both control and ELA-reared mice exhibited similar stress transfer to unshocked cagemates and similar CORT dynamics. In contrast, ELA females showed a heightened stress transfer to unshocked cagemates, and sustained elevation of CORT relative to controls, indicating enhanced stress contagion and a failure to terminate the stress response. Behaviorally, ELA females displayed decreased allogrooming and increased investigative behaviors, while ELA males showed reduced huddling. Together, these findings demonstrate that ELA influenced HPA axis dynamics, social stress contagion and social behavior. Further research is needed to unravel the underlying mechanisms and long-term consequences of ELA on stress systems and their impact on behavioral outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyn M Breton
- Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zoey Cort
- Barnard College of Columbia University, Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, New York, NY, USA
| | - Camila Demaestri
- Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA
| | - Madalyn Critz
- Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA
| | - Samuel Nevins
- Brown University, Department of Cognitive, Linguistic and Psychological Sciences, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Kendall Downend
- Barnard College of Columbia University, Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dayshalis Ofray
- Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA
| | - Russell D Romeo
- Barnard College of Columbia University, Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kevin G Bath
- Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, USA
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Xie M, Jiang Y, Zilioli S, Xiang S, Zhao S, Lin D. Parent-Child Separation and Diurnal Cortisol Rhythms Among Left-Behind Adolescents: The Moderating Role of Sex. J Youth Adolesc 2023:10.1007/s10964-023-01820-8. [PMID: 37481502 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-023-01820-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Prior research examining parent-child separation and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning has primarily focused on separation due to parental divorce or loss or forced migration. Less clear is the impact of parental economic migration on adolescents' HPA axis functioning. The present study fills this gap by examining diurnal cortisol patterns among left-behind adolescents who experienced separation from their migrant parents. Participants were 293 Chinese adolescents (33.4% girls, 66.21% left-behind adolescents; Mage = 10.80 years old, SD = 0.82 years). Two-level multilevel modeling was conducted to examine the associations between parent-child separation experiences and diurnal cortisol patterns. Although no significant differences were found between left-behind adolescents and their non-left-behind peers, results revealed that left-behind adolescents who experienced parent-child separation at earlier ages had more blunted diurnal cortisol slopes (usually signaling poorer mental and physical health), compared to their counterparts who experienced separation at older ages. Left-behind adolescent girls who had more adverse separation experiences exhibited smaller waking cortisol and blunted diurnal slopes; these findings were not observed among left-behind adolescent boys. Observing the association between timing of parent-child separation and adolescents' diurnal cortisol and the moderating effects of child sex, this study contributes uniquely to the developmental science of left-behind adolescents' physiological health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjun Xie
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanping Jiang
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Samuele Zilioli
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Shiyuan Xiang
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Shan Zhao
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Danhua Lin
- Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
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Reynish TD, Hoang H, Bridgman H, Easpaig BNG. Kink-Oriented People and Exogenous Oppressions: Understanding Mental Health and Related Service Use in a Rural Context. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2023; 70:1479-1502. [PMID: 35113001 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2022.2036531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Rural, kink-oriented people experience much exogenous oppression and yet related research is scarce. This study examined the risk and protective factors of kink-oriented rural Tasmanian Australians with preexisting mental health conditions and help-seeking barriers and facilitators. Participants completed either an online survey (n = 42), an interview (n = 10), or both. Thematic analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the qualitative and quantitative data, respectively. Participants aged 18 to 61 were gender and sexually diverse and better educated but had more lifetime suicide attempts than the general public. Despite the increasing normalization of kink, 90.5% of participants have never seen a kink-aware mental health professional (MHP) and nearly 83.0% did not disclose to an MHP for fear of stigma or discrimination. Self-awareness, resilience, social support and kink improved participants' mental health. Tailored support from trained MHP is vital to improve the mental health of kink-oriented people in rural areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara D Reynish
- Centre for Rural Health, College of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Ha Hoang
- Centre for Rural Health, College of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Heather Bridgman
- Centre for Rural Health, College of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Bróna Nic Giolla Easpaig
- Centre for Healthcare Resilience & Implement Science, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Yirmiya K, Motsan S, Zagoory-Sharon O, Schonblum A, Koren L, Feldman R. Continuity of psychopathology v. resilience across the transition to adolescence: role of hair cortisol and sensitive caregiving. Psychol Med 2023; 53:4487-4498. [PMID: 35634966 PMCID: PMC10388331 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722001350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The transition to adolescence implicates heightened vulnerability alongside increased opportunities for resilience. Contexts of early life stress (ELS) exacerbate risk; still, little research addressed biobehavioral mediators of risk and resilience across the adolescent transition following ELS. Utilizing a unique cohort, we tested biosocial moderators of chronicity in adolescents' internalizing disorders v. resilience. METHOD Families exposed to chronic war-related trauma, v. controls, were followed. We utilized data from three time-points framing the adolescent transition: late childhood (N = 177, Mage = 9.3 years ± 1.41), early adolescence (N = 111, Mage = 11 0.66 years ± 1.23), and late adolescence (N = 138, Mage = 15.65 years ± 1.31). In late childhood and late adolescence children's internalizing disorders were diagnosed. At early adolescence maternal and child's hair cortisol concentrations (HCC), maternal sensitivity, and mothers' post-traumatic symptoms evaluated. RESULTS War-exposed children exhibited more internalizing disorders of chronic trajectory and mothers were less sensitive and more symptomatic. Three pathways elucidated the continuity of psychopathology: (a) maternal sensitivity moderated the risk of chronic psychopathology, (b) maternal post-traumatic symptoms mediated continuity of risk, (c) trauma exposure moderated the association between child internalizing disorders at late childhood and maternal HCC, which linked with child HCC. Child HCC linked with maternal post-traumatic symptoms, which were associated with child disorders in late adolescence. CONCLUSION Results demonstrate the complex interplay of maternal and child's biosocial factors as mediators and moderators of risk chronicity across the adolescent transition following trauma. Findings are first to utilize maternal and child's HCC as biomarkers of chronic stress v. resilience during adolescence, a period of neural reorganization and personal growth that shapes the individual's lifetime adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Yirmiya
- Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Reichman University, Herzliya, Israel
| | - Shai Motsan
- Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Reichman University, Herzliya, Israel
| | | | - Anat Schonblum
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Lee Koren
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Ruth Feldman
- Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Reichman University, Herzliya, Israel
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Orihashi R, Imamura Y, Yamada S, Monji A, Mizoguchi Y. Association between serum oxytocin levels and depressive state in community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study. PCN REPORTS : PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES 2023; 2:e97. [PMID: 38868149 PMCID: PMC11114300 DOI: 10.1002/pcn5.97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Aim Identifying peripheral biomarkers related to the prevention or modification of unhealthy mental conditions in older adults would be extremely beneficial. This study aimed to evaluate serum oxytocin levels in older adults living in a rural community and their association with cognitive function, anxiety, depressive state, and well-being. Methods This survey was conducted between November 2016 and September 2017 in Kurokawa-cho, Imari, Saga Prefecture, Japan, among people aged ≥65 years. Blood samples were collected from the participants for serum oxytocin level analysis, which was performed using peptide enzyme immunoassay. Participants underwent neuropsychological assessments, including the Mini-Mental State Examination, Clinical Dementia Rating, Frontal Assessment Battery, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale, and 17-item Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale. We examined the association between serum oxytocin levels and neuropsychological assessment results. Results Out of 94 participants, 25 were men and 69 were women, with mean ages of 78.24 ± 3.85 years and 78.10 ± 5.43 years, respectively. Serum oxytocin levels were negatively associated with 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale scores. Additionally, nondepressive state/depressive state was classified by the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (cut-off 5/6). Logistic regression analysis showed that higher serum oxytocin levels tended to be associated with a less depressive state at that time. Conclusions Serum oxytocin levels may be associated with depressive state in adults aged ≥65 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuzo Orihashi
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Oita UniversityOitaJapan
- Department of PsychiatryFaculty of Medicine, Saga UniversitySagaJapan
| | - Yoshiomi Imamura
- Department of PsychiatryFaculty of Medicine, Saga UniversitySagaJapan
- Institute of Comparative Studies of International Cultures and Societies, Kurume UniversityKurumeJapan
| | | | - Akira Monji
- Department of PsychiatryFaculty of Medicine, Saga UniversitySagaJapan
| | - Yoshito Mizoguchi
- Department of PsychiatryFaculty of Medicine, Saga UniversitySagaJapan
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Brady SS, Arguedas A, Huling JD, Shan L, Lewis CE, Fok CS, Van Den Eeden SK, Markland AD. Interpersonal Stressors and Resources for Support: Associations with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Impact Among Women. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2023; 32:693-701. [PMID: 37040312 PMCID: PMC10278020 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2022.0483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: This study utilizes Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) data to examine whether women's perceived emotional support and interpersonal stressors are associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and their impact on quality of life. Materials and Methods: Emotional support was assessed at baseline/year 0 (1985-86), year 2 (1987-88), year 15 (2000-01), and year 20 (2005-06); interpersonal stressors were assessed at years 15 and 20. In 2012-13, LUTS and impact were assessed. LUTS/impact category (a composite variable ranging from bladder health to mild, moderate, and severe LUTS/impact) was regressed on trajectory groups of emotional support from years 0 to 20. Separately, LUTS/impact was regressed on mean emotional support and interpersonal stressors across years 15-20. Analyses were adjusted for age, race, education, and parity (n = 1104). Results: In comparison to women whose support trajectory from years 0 to 20 was consistently high, women whose support decreased from high to low had over twice the odds (odds ratio [OR] = 2.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.76-4.20) of being classified into a more burdensome LUTS/impact category. Mean support and interpersonal stressors across years 15-20 were independently associated with lower odds (OR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.44-0.77) and greater odds (OR = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.19-1.94), respectively, of being classified into a more burdensome LUTS/impact category. Conclusions: In the CARDIA cohort, quality of women's interpersonal relationships, assessed between 1985-86 and 2005-06, was associated with LUTS/impact assessed in 2012-13. Additional research collecting LUTS/impact data at multiple time points is needed to test potential bidirectional associations of emotional support and interpersonal stressors with LUTS/impact, as well as potential mechanisms of association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonya S. Brady
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, and University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Andrés Arguedas
- Division of Biostatistics, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jared D. Huling
- Division of Biostatistics, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Liang Shan
- University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Cora E. Lewis
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Cynthia S. Fok
- Department of Urology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Stephen K. Van Den Eeden
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Alayne D. Markland
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care and the Birmingham/Atlanta Geriatrics Research, Education, and Clinical Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine and Birmingham VA Health Care System, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Kozlakidis Z, Shi P, Abarbanel G, Klein C, Sfera A. Recent Developments in Protein Lactylation in PTSD and CVD: Novel Strategies and Targets. BIOTECH 2023; 12:38. [PMID: 37218755 PMCID: PMC10204439 DOI: 10.3390/biotech12020038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In 1938, Corneille Heymans received the Nobel Prize in physiology for discovering that oxygen sensing in the aortic arch and carotid sinus was mediated by the nervous system. The genetics of this process remained unclear until 1991 when Gregg Semenza while studying erythropoietin, came upon hypoxia-inducible factor 1, for which he obtained the Nobel Prize in 2019. The same year, Yingming Zhao found protein lactylation, a posttranslational modification that can alter the function of hypoxia-inducible factor 1, the master regulator of cellular senescence, a pathology implicated in both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The genetic correlation between PTSD and CVD has been demonstrated by many studies, of which the most recent one utilizes large-scale genetics to estimate the risk factors for these conditions. This study focuses on the role of hypertension and dysfunctional interleukin 7 in PTSD and CVD, the former caused by stress-induced sympathetic arousal and elevated angiotensin II, while the latter links stress to premature endothelial cell senescence and early vascular aging. This review summarizes the recent developments and highlights several novel PTSD and CVD pharmacological targets. They include lactylation of histone and non-histone proteins, along with the related biomolecular actors such as hypoxia-inducible factor 1α, erythropoietin, acid-sensing ion channels, basigin, and Interleukin 7, as well as strategies to delay premature cellular senescence by telomere lengthening and resetting the epigenetic clock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zisis Kozlakidis
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization (IARC/WHO), 69372 Lyon, France
| | - Patricia Shi
- Department of Psychiatry, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
| | - Ganna Abarbanel
- Patton State Hospital, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | | | - Adonis Sfera
- Patton State Hospital, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
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Smucny J, Vlasova RM, Lesh TA, Rowland DJ, Wang G, Chaudhari AJ, Chen S, Iosif AM, Hogrefe CE, Bennett JL, Shumann CM, Van de Water JA, Maddock RJ, Styner MA, Geschwind DH, McAllister AK, Bauman MD, Carter CS. Increased Striatal Presynaptic Dopamine in a Nonhuman Primate Model of Maternal Immune Activation: A Longitudinal Neurodevelopmental Positron Emission Tomography Study With Implications for Schizophrenia. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2023; 8:505-513. [PMID: 36805246 PMCID: PMC10164700 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2022.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological studies suggest that maternal immune activation (MIA) is a significant risk factor for future neurodevelopmental disorders, including schizophrenia (SZ), in offspring. Consistent with findings in SZ research and work in rodent systems, preliminary cross-sectional findings in nonhuman primates suggest that MIA is associated with dopaminergic hyperfunction in young adult offspring. METHODS In this unique prospective longitudinal study, we used [18F]fluoro-l-m-tyrosine positron emission tomography to examine the developmental time course of striatal presynaptic dopamine synthesis in male rhesus monkeys born to dams (n = 13) injected with a modified form of the inflammatory viral mimic, polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)], in the late first trimester. Striatal (caudate, putamen, and nucleus accumbens) dopamine from these animals was compared with that of control offspring born to dams that received saline (n = 10) or no injection (n = 4). Dopamine was measured at 15, 26, 38, and 48 months of age. Prior work with this cohort found decreased prefrontal gray matter volume in MIA offspring versus controls between 6 and 45 months of age. Based on theories of the etiology and development of SZ-related pathology, we hypothesized that there would be a delayed (relative to the gray matter decrease) increase in striatal fluoro-l-m-tyrosine signal in the MIA group versus controls. RESULTS [18F]fluoro-l-m-tyrosine signal showed developmental increases in both groups in the caudate and putamen. Group comparisons revealed significantly greater caudate dopaminergic signal in the MIA group at 26 months. CONCLUSIONS These findings are highly relevant to the known pathophysiology of SZ and highlight the translational relevance of the MIA model in understanding mechanisms by which MIA during pregnancy increases risk for later illness in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Smucny
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, California.
| | - Roza M Vlasova
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Tyler A Lesh
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, California; Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Douglas J Rowland
- Center for Genomic and Molecular Imaging, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Guobao Wang
- Department of Radiology, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Abhijit J Chaudhari
- Center for Genomic and Molecular Imaging, University of California, Davis, California; Department of Radiology, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Shuai Chen
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Ana-Maria Iosif
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Casey E Hogrefe
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Jeffrey L Bennett
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Cynthia M Shumann
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Judy A Van de Water
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Richard J Maddock
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Martin A Styner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | | | - Melissa D Bauman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, California; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Cameron S Carter
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, California; Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, California.
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40
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Bounoua N, Church L, Sadeh N. Development and Initial Validation of the Neglectful Experiences and Deprivation Scale. Assessment 2023; 30:923-938. [PMID: 35120410 DOI: 10.1177/10731911211072906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Socioemotional deprivation, or the absence of developmentally expected social experiences, has been linked to long-lasting health and psychological outcomes. To date, current measures of socioemotional deprivation fail to capture the cumulative impact of neglectful experiences across multiple social relationships and developmental periods. The current study developed and validated the Neglectful Experiences and Deprivation Scale (NEADS) on a sample of 547 stress-exposed adults (M/SDage=27.77/6.54 years old; 56.5% male). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses in independent samples revealed a three-factor solution as the best fitting model: Caregiver Deprivation (four items; e.g., abandonment), Peer Deprivation (four items; e.g., physical isolation), Romantic Partner Deprivation (four items; e.g., emotionally unavailable). Indicators of construct validity and internal consistency support the selected three-factor model. Results provide strong preliminary evidence of the validity of the NEADS for assaying the severity, developmental timing, and psychological impact of socioemotional deprivation across the lifespan.
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Seppälä T, Riikonen R, Stevenson C, Paajanen P, Repo K, Finell E. Intragroup contact with other mothers living in the same neighborhood benefits mothers' life satisfaction: The mediating role of group identification and social support. JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 51:1365-1377. [PMID: 36326076 DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Becoming a mother is often accompanied by a loss of social connections, which can reduce the availability of social support. This can increase maternal stress with negative health outcomes. Therefore, we examined how mothers' social contact with other mothers living in the same neighborhood can form a compensative source of social support and wellbeing. Data was collected from mothers (N = 443) of a child under school age while visiting the public maternity and child health clinics located in two neighborhoods in Helsinki, Finland. We found that mothers' frequent and positive contact with other local mothers was positively related with their life satisfaction through identification-based social support. Contact also had a specific indirect effect on life satisfaction through social support. Frequent positive contact with other local mothers can serve to scaffold the emergence of social identification, which in turn unlocks further social support with positive health effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuija Seppälä
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Reetta Riikonen
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | | | - Paula Paajanen
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Katja Repo
- Unit of Social Research, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Eerika Finell
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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Conradt E, Camerota M, Maylott S, Lester BM. Annual Research Review: Prenatal opioid exposure - a two-generation approach to conceptualizing neurodevelopmental outcomes. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2023; 64:566-578. [PMID: 36751734 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Opioid use during pregnancy impacts the health and well-being of two generations: the pregnant person and the child. The factors that increase risk for opioid use in the adult, as well as those that perpetuate risk for the caregiver and child, oftentimes replicate across generations and may be more likely to affect child neurodevelopment than the opioid exposure itself. In this article, we review the prenatal opioid exposure literature with the perspective that this is not a singular event but an intergenerational cascade of events. We highlight several mechanisms of transmission across generations: biological factors, including genetics and epigenetics and the gut-brain axis; parent-child mechanisms, such as prepregnancy experience of child maltreatment, quality of parenting, infant behaviors, neonatal opioid withdrawal diagnosis, and broader environmental contributors including poverty, violence exposure, stigma, and Child Protective Services involvement. We conclude by describing ways in which intergenerational transmission can be disrupted by early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Conradt
- Department of Psychiatry, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Marie Camerota
- Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk, Department of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Sarah Maylott
- Department of Psychiatry, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Barry M Lester
- Brown Center for the Study of Children at Risk, Department of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, USA
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Morgan JK, Conner KK, Fridley RM, Olino TM, Grewen KM, Silk JS, Iyengar S, Cyranowski JM, Forbes EE. Adolescents' Hormonal Responses to Social Stress and Associations with Adolescent Social Anxiety and Maternal Comfort: A Preliminary Study. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2023:10.1007/s10578-023-01521-0. [PMID: 36995488 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-023-01521-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Both social support and social stress can impact adolescent physiology including hormonal responses during the sensitive transition to adolescence. Social support from parents continues to play an important role in socioemotional development during adolescence. Sources of social support and stress may be particularly impactful for adolescents with social anxiety symptoms. The goal of the current study was to examine whether adolescent social anxiety symptoms and maternal comfort moderated adolescents' hormonal response to social stress and support. We evaluated 47 emotionally healthy 11- to 14-year-old adolescents' cortisol and oxytocin reactivity to social stress and support using a modified version of the Trier Social Stress Test for Adolescents that included a maternal comfort paradigm. Findings demonstrated that adolescents showed significant increases in cortisol and significant decreases in oxytocin following the social stress task. Subsequently, we found that adolescents showed significant decreases in cortisol and increases in oxytocin following the maternal comfort paradigm. Adolescents with greater social anxiety symptoms showed higher levels of cortisol at baseline but greater declines in cortisol response following maternal social support. Social anxiety symptoms were unrelated to oxytocin response to social stress or support. Our findings provide further evidence that mothers play a key role in adolescent regulation of physiological response, particularly if the stressor is consistent with adolescents' anxiety. More specifically, our findings suggest that adolescents with higher social anxiety symptoms show greater sensitivity to maternal social support following social stressors. Encouraging parents to continue to serve as a supportive presence during adolescent distress may be helpful for promoting stress recovery during the vulnerable transition to adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith K Morgan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA.
| | | | | | - Thomas M Olino
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
| | | | - Jennifer S Silk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Satish Iyengar
- Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | | | - Erika E Forbes
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
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Kyriacou A, Tziaferi V, Toumba M. Stress, Thyroid Dysregulation, and Thyroid Cancer in Children and Adolescents: Proposed Impending Mechanisms. Horm Res Paediatr 2023; 96:44-53. [PMID: 35385843 DOI: 10.1159/000524477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress is a potential catalyst for thyroid dysregulation through cross-communication of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axes. Stress and stressors exposure motivates molecular mechanisms affecting compound feedback loops of the HPT axis. While there is evidence of connection between stress and thyroid dysregulation, the question whether this connection is implicated in the development of thyroid cancer (TC) remains unanswered. In view of the rising incidence of TC in both adults and children alongside the increasing stress in our modern society, there is a need to understand possible interrelations between stress, thyroid dysregulation, and TC. Prolonged glucocorticoid secretion due to stress interferes with immune system response by altering the cytokines, inducing low-grade chronic inflammation, and suppressing function of immune-protective cells. Chronic inflammation is a risk factor linked to TC. The role of autoimmunity has been a matter of controversy. However, there is epidemiological connection between autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and TC; patients with AITD show increased incidence in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and those with TC show a high prevalence of intrathyroidal lymphocyte infiltration and thyroid autoantibodies. Timing and duration-dependent exposure to specific endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has an impact on thyroid development, function, and proliferation, leading to thyroid disease and potentially cancer. Thyroid hormone imbalance, chronic inflammation, and EDCs are potential risk factors for oxidative stress. Oxygen free radicals are capable of causing DNA damage via stimulation of the mitogen-activating protein kinase or phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase and/or nuclear factor kB pathways, resulting in TC-associated gene mutations such as RET/PTC, AKAP9-BRAF, NTRK1, RAASF, PIK3CA, and PTEN. Stressful events during the critical periods of prenatal and early life can influence neuroendocrine regulation and induce epigenetic changes. Aberrant methylation of tumor suppressor genes such as P16INK4A, RASSF, and PTEN is associated with PTC; histone H3 acetylation is shown to be higher in TC, and thyroid-specific noncoding RNAs are downregulated in PTC. This review focuses on the above proposed mechanisms that potentially lead to thyroid tumorigenesis with the aim to help in the development of novel prognostic and therapeutic strategies for TC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelos Kyriacou
- CEDM, Centre of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Limassol, Cyprus.,Division of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Salford NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK.,Medical School, European University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - Meropi Toumba
- Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic, Department of Pediatrics, Aretaeio Hospital, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Department of Molecular Genetics, Function and Therapy, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Eiden RD, Ettekal I, Zhao J, Kelm MR, Nickerson AB, Ostrov JM, Schuetze P, Godleski S. Prenatal substance exposure, early-life adversity, and parenting: Associations with adolescent stress response. Dev Psychobiol 2023; 65:e22365. [PMID: 36811371 PMCID: PMC9971663 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
We tested a conceptual model examining associations between prenatal substance exposure and adolescent cortisol reactivity profiles in response to an acute social evaluative stressor. We included cortisol reactivity in infancy, and direct and interactive effects of early-life adversity and parenting behaviors (sensitivity, harshness) from infancy to early school age on adolescent cortisol reactivity profiles in model testing. Participants were 216 families (51% female children; 116 cocaine-exposed) recruited at birth, oversampled for prenatal substance exposure, and assessed from infancy to early adolescence (EA). Majority of participants self-identified as Black (72% mothers, 57.2% adolescents), and caregivers were primarily from low-income families (76%), were single (86%), and had high school or below education (70%) at recruitment. Latent profile analyses identified three cortisol reactivity patterns including elevated (20.4%), moderate (63.1%), and blunted (16.5%) reactivity groups. Prenatal tobacco exposure was associated with higher likelihood of membership in the elevated reactivity compared to the moderate reactivity group. Higher caregiver sensitivity in early life was associated with lower likelihood of membership in the elevated reactivity group. Prenatal cocaine exposure was associated with higher maternal harshness. Interaction effects among early-life adversity and parenting indicated that caregiver sensitivity buffered, and harshness exacerbated, the likelihood that high early adversity would be associated with the elevated and blunted reactivity groups. Results highlight the potential importance of prenatal alcohol and tobacco exposure for cortisol reactivity and the role of parenting as exacerbating or buffering the impact of early-life adversity on adolescent stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rina D. Eiden
- The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
| | | | - Junru Zhao
- University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY
| | | | | | - Jamie M. Ostrov
- University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY
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Atkinson L, Joshi D, Raina P, Griffith LE, MacMillan H, Gonzalez A. Social engagement and allostatic load mediate between adverse childhood experiences and multimorbidity in mid to late adulthood: the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Psychol Med 2023; 53:1437-1447. [PMID: 37010223 PMCID: PMC10009404 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721003019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with multimorbidity in adulthood. This link may be mediated by psychosocial and biological factors, but evidence is lacking. The current study evaluates this mediation model. METHOD We analyzed data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study of Aging (N = 27 170 community participants). Participants were 45-85 years at recruitment, when allostatic load and social engagement data were collected, and 3 years older at follow-up, when ACEs and multimorbidity data were collected. Structural equation modeling was used to test for mediation in the overall sample, and in sex- and age-stratified subsamples, all analyses adjusted for concurrent lifestyle confounds. RESULTS In the overall sample, ACEs were associated with multimorbidity, directly, β = 0.12 (95% confidence interval 0.11-0.13) and indirectly. Regarding indirect associations, ACEs were related to social engagement, β = -0.14 (-0.16 to -0.12) and social engagement was related to multimorbidity, β = -0.10 (-0.12 to -0.08). ACEs were related to allostatic load, β = 0.04 (0.03-0.05) and allostatic load was related to multimorbidity, β = 0.16 (0.15-0.17). The model was significant for males and females and across age cohorts, with qualifications in the oldest stratum (age 75-85). CONCLUSIONS ACEs are related to multimorbidity, directly and via social engagement and allostatic load. This is the first study to show mediated pathways between early adversity and multimorbidity in adulthood. It provides a platform for understanding multimorbidity as a lifespan dynamic informing the co-occurrence of the varied disease processes represented in multimorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie Atkinson
- Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Divya Joshi
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Parminder Raina
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Lauren E. Griffith
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Harriet MacMillan
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Andrea Gonzalez
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
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Serum Oxytocin, Cortisol and Social Behavior in Calves: A Study in the Impossible Task Paradigm. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040646. [PMID: 36830435 PMCID: PMC9951757 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we explored the correlations between circulating levels of oxytocin, cortisol, and different social behaviors toward humans in 26 Italian Red Pied calves (all females, with an average age of 174 ± 24 days) using the impossible task paradigm. This paradigm has proved fruitful in highlighting the effect of socialization on the willingness to interact with humans in several domesticated species. The test consists of the violation of an expectation (recovering food from an experimental apparatus) while a caregiver and a stranger are present. Immediately after the end of the test (less than one minute), blood was collected from the coccygeal vein. Statistics were performed by the Spearman's rank correlation; significant differences were adjusted according to Bonferroni's correction. Cortisol correlates positively (ρ = 0.565; p < 0.05) with the latency of behaviors directed at the caregiver, and the duration of behaviors directed at the apparatus correlates negatively with both the caregiver (ρ = -0.654; p < 0.05) and a stranger (ρ = -0.644; p < 0.05). Contrary to what is reported in the literature on cows, no correlations were found between oxytocin levels and direct behaviors toward the caregiver. This highlights a different behavioral strategy between calves and cows when placed in front of an impossible task.
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Cortisol reactivity and negative affect among preterm infants at 12 months during a mother-infant interaction task. Infant Behav Dev 2023; 70:101784. [PMID: 36401957 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2022.101784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate correlates of preterm (PT) infant's cortisol reactivity and the association to infant negative affect, during a mother-infant interaction procedure. Participants included 48 infants born prematurely (gestational age < 37 weeks) and their mothers, assessed when infants were 12 months old corrected for prematurity. The examined variables comprised both neonatal and environmental dimensions including maternal interactive behavior. Infant negative affect and maternal interactive behavior were assessed with a standardized mother-infant interaction task. A baseline infant saliva sample was collected before the interaction began, and a second sample after the interaction episodes ended. Results revealed that decrease of infant's cortisol concentration was significantly associated with the exposure to more sensitive, and less intrusive maternal behaviors. However, once controlled for neonatal risk, family SES and maternal psychological distress, the associations were rendered non-significant. Although the association between cortisol reactivity and negative affect trended toward significance, maternal intrusiveness was the only significant predictor of observed infant negative affect. Findings suggest the importance of primary relational experiences on PT infants' early regulatory competencies.
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Caria A. A Hypothalamic Perspective of Human Socioemotional Behavior. Neuroscientist 2023:10738584221149647. [PMID: 36703298 DOI: 10.1177/10738584221149647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Historical evidence from stimulation and lesion studies in animals and humans demonstrated a close association between the hypothalamus and typical and atypical socioemotional behavior. A central hypothalamic contribution to regulation of socioemotional responses was also provided indirectly by studies on oxytocin and arginine vasopressin. However, a limited number of studies have so far directly investigated the contribution of the hypothalamus in human socioemotional behavior. To reconsider the functional role of the evolutionarily conserved hypothalamic region in regulating human social behavior, here I provide a synthesis of neuroimaging investigations showing that the hypothalamus is involved in multiple and diverse facets of human socioemotional behavior through widespread functional interactions with other cortical and subcortical regions. These neuroimaging findings are then integrated with recent optogenetics studies in animals demonstrating that the hypothalamus plays a more active role in eliciting socioemotional responses and is not simply a downstream effector of higher-level brain systems. Building on the aforementioned evidence, the hypothalamus is argued to substantially contribute to a continuum of human socioemotional behaviors promoting survival and preservation of the species that extends from exploratory and approaching responses facilitating social bonding to aggressive and avoidance responses aimed to protect and defend formed relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Caria
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
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Smeeth D, McEwen FS, Popham CM, Karam EG, Fayyad J, Saab D, Rieder MJ, Elzagallaai AA, van Uum S, Pluess M. War exposure, post-traumatic stress symptoms and hair cortisol concentrations in Syrian refugee children. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:647-656. [PMID: 36385169 PMCID: PMC9908541 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01859-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Altered secretion of cortisol, the primary effector of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, has been proposed as a means by which traumatic experiences compromise later mental health. However, despite the popularity of cortisol as a potential biomarker for stress and adversity, findings are inconsistent, and little is known about the impact of war-related trauma on stress physiology of children and adolescents. Here we aimed to evaluate the relationships between war exposure, current living conditions, hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in a large cohort of Syrian refugee children and adolescents (6-18 years) and their caregiver. This longitudinal observational study assessed Syrian refugee children and adolescents in two waves, 1 year apart, within informal tented settlements in Lebanon. The relationships between war exposure, time since leaving Syria, PTSD symptoms and HCC were investigated using linear mixed-model regression utilising both waves of data collected (Y1: N = 1574, Y2: N = 923). Hair cortisol concentration was positively, but weakly associated with the number of war-related events experienced. This was limited to those who were at least 12 years old at the time of war exposure. Conversely, HCC decreased with time since leaving Syria. HCC was also associated with PTSD symptoms but not with the quality of their current living conditions. This study revealed that changes to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity may accompany both earlier war exposure and current PTSD symptoms in children and adolescents. Additionally, early adolescence may be a particularly sensitive time in terms of trauma-related changes to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demelza Smeeth
- grid.4868.20000 0001 2171 1133Department of Biological and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Fiona S. McEwen
- grid.4868.20000 0001 2171 1133Department of Biological and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Cassandra M. Popham
- grid.4868.20000 0001 2171 1133Department of Biological and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Elie G. Karam
- grid.429040.bDepartment of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Balamand University, St George Hospital University Medical Center, Institute for Development, Research, Advocacy and Applied Care (IDRAAC), Beirut, Lebanon
| | - John Fayyad
- grid.429040.bDepartment of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Balamand University, St George Hospital University Medical Center, Institute for Development, Research, Advocacy and Applied Care (IDRAAC), Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Dahlia Saab
- grid.429040.bDepartment of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Balamand University, St George Hospital University Medical Center, Institute for Development, Research, Advocacy and Applied Care (IDRAAC), Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Michael J. Rieder
- grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON Canada
| | - Abdelbaset A. Elzagallaai
- grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON Canada
| | - Stan van Uum
- grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON Canada
| | - Michael Pluess
- Department of Biological and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
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