Affiliation:
1. Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
Abstract
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.
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Subject
Pharmacology (medical),Psychiatry and Mental health,Neurology (clinical),Neurology,Pharmacology,General Medicine