Healio (11/9, Gramigna) reports on research indicating that “childhood abuse and neglect appear to have significant effects on brain structure and function, as well as on the epigenome.” Included in the category are “physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, household mental illness left untreated, household substance use and abuse, incarceration of a household member, parental separation or divorce and domestic abuse in the household.” The study also shows that “almost 62% of children in the United States experience one or more adverse childhood experiences…and nearly 25% experience three or more.” Effects on brain structure include “reduced gray matter volume in the hippocampus and amygdala” as well as “greater activation of the amygdala, globus pallidus/parahippocampal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, cerebellum and thalamus.” The findings were presented at the NEI Max virtual conference.
Related Links:
— “Childhood abuse, neglect may significantly alter brain structure, function “Joe Gramigna, Healio, November 9, 2020