The Impact of Early-Life Stress on Gene Expression in the Brain

Early-life stress has a greater impact on gene expression in the brain than a head injury, according to a study conducted on rats. Researchers found that stress changed the activation level of many more genes in the brain compared to a concussion-like head injury. The study suggests that early-life stress may have long-lasting health consequences that are not fully understood. The findings highlight the importance of addressing adverse childhood experiences and providing social support and enrichment to mitigate the effects of early-life stress.