Severe stress during childhood can leave a lasting impact on brain cells, making a person more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders as an adult. Researchers in the United States found that trauma early in life can alter the way brain cells package DNA, leading to a heightened stress response.
Understanding the Impact of Childhood Trauma
Scientists have long known that stress experienced as a young child changes the activity of genes in the brain. The new study, published in the journal Neuron, reveals that this is due to alterations in how brain cells package DNA. The research team found that an enzyme called SETD7 plays a crucial role in this process, helping to place a chemical tag on the genetic material that makes it more reactive to stress.
The study’s findings suggest that childhood trauma can have a profound impact on brain development, leading to changes in the way the brain responds to stress. This can increase the risk of anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders later in life. However, the research also offers hope for the development of new treatments and interventions that can help mitigate the effects of childhood trauma.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
