Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast Adverse Childhood Experiences - HPA axis & Brain changes: cortisol, amygdala, hippocampus, cytokines, & epigenetics (Part 3 of ACE series)
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Jul 19, 2024 Delve into the lasting effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences on the brain and body, from impacting the HPA axis to inflammation and neurobiology. Explore how childhood trauma can lead to changes in cortisol response, brain regions like the hippocampus and amygdala, and inflammatory cytokines. Understand the link between FKBP5 protein, cortisol regulation, and mental health disorders, and discover the importance of therapeutic interventions in mitigating the negative impacts of early life stress on mental health.
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Biological Impact of ACEs
- Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) disrupt the HPA axis, impacting stress response and neurodevelopment.
- This disruption involves changes in cortisol levels, epigenetic modifications, and brain structure/function.
Blunted Cortisol Response
- ACEs are linked to a blunted cortisol response, especially in the morning.
- This blunting may be due to long-term epigenetic changes in response to chronic stress.
Longitudinal Cortisol Changes
- A study by Trichin et al. followed abused girls for 15 years.
- It showed higher cortisol in childhood, but lower levels in adulthood compared to controls.