Childhood Trauma's Hidden Signature in the Brain The discovery of a lasting "scar" inside brain cells caused by childhood trauma has significant implications for mental health.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine and Princeton University have identified a specific biological process that explains how early adversity can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders later in life.
This study's findings suggest that childhood stress causes changes in the way DNA is packaged within brain cells, particularly in regions responsible for processing rewards and adversity.