The Impact of Early Trauma on Nervous System Function

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) does not significantly alter levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neural biomarker involved in neurogenesis and long-term memory formation. While individual studies showed ACE-dependent changes in BDNF levels, the limited sample sizes and heterogeneous study designs prevent reaching a consensus on the strength of the relationship. Further research is needed to better understand the impact of ACEs on the developing nervous system.