Childhood trauma leaves lasting scar in brain cells, study finds
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Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine and Princeton University identified a biological process linking early-life stress to long-term vulnerability to anxiety and depression. The study, published Aug. 7 in Neuron, found that childhood adversity alters DNA packaging in dopamine-producing neurons, making stress-related genes easier to activate. The findings reveal a physical scar inside brain cells that could serve as a target for new treatments.
Key Facts
- The study was published Aug. 7 in Neuron.
- More than half of children worldwide experience some form of early-life stress, including abuse, violence, or drug use within the household.
- Experiencing four or more adverse childhood events is associated with a sharply higher risk of physical and mental health problems later in life.
- Researchers found elevated levels of the enzyme SETD7 in dopamine neurons of young mice exposed to stress compared with mice raised under typical conditions.
Biological Mechanism
The researchers focused on the ventral tegmental area, a brain region containing neurons that produce dopamine, a chemical messenger involved in processing rewards and adversity. When stress causes these neurons to become abnormally active, reward processing can be disrupted, potentially increasing vulnerability to anxiety and depression. The team examined the epigenome inside these dopamine-producing neurons, which consists of molecular tags that help control whether genes are switched on or off. Catherine Jensen Peña, PhD, an assistant professor at the Princeton Neuroscience Institute and the study's senior and co-corresponding author, compared DNA inside cells to a coiled slinky. DNA is wrapped around proteins called histones, which help control how tightly or loosely it is packed; when the structure loosens, genes become easier for the cell to activate.
Enzyme Findings
In young mice exposed to stress, the researchers found elevated levels of an enzyme called SETD7 in dopamine neurons compared with mice raised under typical conditions. Meaghan Creed, PhD, an associate professor of anesthesiology at WashU Medicine and the study's co-corresponding author, said the finding reveals a physical scar left by trauma experienced during development inside brain cells. Creed added that the discovery provides scientists with a concrete biological target to develop new treatments and interventions.
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Childhood trauma leaves lasting scar in brain cells, study finds
