THE HEALTHY BRAIN VS. UNHEALTHY BRAIN

The Healthy Brain vs. Unhealthy Brain Due to Early Childhood Abuse

Table of Contents

Table of Contents2

Chapter I3

Introduction3

Chapter II6

Literature6

Unhealthy brain to Child Abuse and Neglect6

Parasympathetic nervous system response11

Serotogenic response12

Other Responses to Child Abuse and Neglect12

Functional? structural? and chemical changes in the brain13

Chapter III15

Methods15

Chapter IV18

Results18

Self-Reported Childhood Abuse in Relation to Dissociative Symptoms and Amnesia18

Circumstances Concerning Recovered Memory? Suggestion? and Corroboration of Childhood Abuse20

Chapter IV23

Discussion and Conclusions23

References28

Chapter I

Introduction

This research stud focuses on the healthy brain vs. unhealthy brain due to early childhood abuse. Broadly and theoretically? during early brain development? neglect leads to deprivation of input needed by the infant brain at times of experience-expectant maturation? while abusive experiences affect brain development at experience-dependent stages. Both early neglect and abuse therefore have the potential to affect subsequent brain functioning. In practice? the distinction between omission and commission within child maltreatment is not as clear cut. Post and Weiss (1997) describe the "worst case scenario"? not infrequently encountered? in which young children experience both abuse and neglect. Child abuse is a potent source of stress? and much of the literature on the relationship between child abuse and neglect and neurobiology has examined the effects of stress on the brain (e.g. De Bellis & Putnam? 1994). Deprivation has been found to result in a stress response as well as in deficits in development.

"What is novel about this study is that it seeks to understand these children from multiple perspectives - neurocognitive? neuroendocrine? and neurophysiological as well as psychological?" said Center Research Director Fred Rogosch. "We will obtain very diverse assessments on the same child? providing a holistic view of the multiple ways in which child maltreatment affects development?" Rogosch said.

"Our focus on what factors support resilience is equally important?" Rogosch added. "Many abused children go on to lead productive? well-adjusted lives. Identifying these pathways to success is vital because it says to children and adults that 'they are not doomed' by an abusive childhood."

Rogosch and Dante Cicchetti? McKnight Presidential Chair and Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota and the former director of the Mt. Hope Family Center from 1984 to 2005? are principal investigators of the study.

Research and popular understanding of child abuse have traditionally looked at the psychological and behavioral consequences of maltreatment. For example? the links between early trauma and depression? suicide? substance abuse? and aggression are well documented.

But more recent studies show that early trauma often also affects basic biological systems. Abuse during critical developmental years of life can alter gene expression; disrupt normal hormonal responses to stress? and affect brain development. To date? however? studies of these biological consequences have been limited to small groups of abused children? primarily those hospitalized with mental illnesses.

This new study involves a large group of 500 children? aged 8 to 10? half of whom have a history of abuse or neglect and all of whom come from low-income backgrounds. Rogosch explained that by selecting participants with similar environments? researchers will be able to differentiate the effects of ...