Feb. 23, 2009 -- Childhood abuse appears to permanently change a person's response to stress, possibly making them more susceptible to suicide, new research suggests. Canadian researchers found early childhood abuse can change the expression of a gene which is important for responding to stress. The study, by Michael Meaney and colleagues at McGill University, is published online today in Nature Neuroscience. The researchers studied the brains of 24 suicide victims -- 12 who had suffered severe childhood abuse, which included physical abuse, neglect or sexual contact, and 12 who had not been abused. Related Content:
They also studied the brains of 12 accident victims who had not been abused. Those who had been abused had lower levels of expression of the gene for the glucocorticoid receptor, which is critical for the stress response pathway. Rat studies have previously shown that early childhood experiences can cause long-term genetic changes in the pathway, but this is the first evidence in humans. "Childhood adversity might alter the development of systems that regulate stress responses ... enhancing the effect of stress in adulthood and vulnerability for mood disorders," the researchers said. University of Newcastle professor of perinatal and infant psychiatry, Louise Newman, said if children are abused early, they are flooded with stress-related hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. "This impacts directly on how the brain develops and the stress regulation mechanism. It becomes highly stressed so it's like setting the thermostat on high, setting up a system which regulates stress less efficiently," she said. "Also it impacts on the area which controls feelings, so they're more likely to be highly stressed, have difficulties with anger and emotions, and be prone to self-harm, anxiety, suicide and depression." Get More NewsSpiders, Scorpions Among World's Oldest CreaturesMany creepy crawlies have been on Earth much longer than previously believed.Blood-Sucking Vampire Bats Sing DuetsWhite-winged vampire bats "harmonize" with separated roost mates.Oldest Hebrew Writing Possibly FoundAncient inscriptions on a 3,000-year-old pottery shard could make history.Rare, Prehistoric-Age Reptile Found in N.Z.A tuatara has been spotted on the New Zealand mainland for the first time in 200 years.Iceman Has No Living RelativesOetzi, the 5,300 year-old frozen mummy, left no living genetic legacy.SLIDE SHOW: Landscapes of TerrorWhat makes a place feel scary? There are scientific explanations.It's Official: People Are Warming the PolesHumans are conclusively to blame for polar warming, say scientists.Eight-Armed Animal Preceded DinosaursWhat may be one of Earth's first animals was no bigger than a coaster and had eight arms.Phoenicians Live on in People's GenesOne in 17 Mediterranean men may be descended from ancient Phoenicians.Pesticides, Fertilizers Linked to Frog DeclineA pesticide is found to promote parasites among amphibians.Hubble Telescope Taking Photos AgainThe Hubble Space Telescope is once again snapping stunning photos of the universe.Andean Mummy Hairs Show Hallucinogen UseScientists find direct evidence of hallucinogenic drug use among ancient Andeans.Opals on Mars Reveal Planet's Long Wet PastOpals found on Mars suggest the planet has been wet for much longer. |
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