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Sabu S, Corman H, Noonan K, Reichman NE, Kuhn KB, Radovick S. Small for gestational age and age at menarche in a contemporary population-based U.S. sample. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0309363. [PMID: 39240976 PMCID: PMC11379201 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Children born small for gestational age (SGA) may be at risk for earlier puberty and adverse long-term health sequelae. This study investigates associations between SGA and age at menarche using secondary data on 1,027 female children in a population-based U.S. birth cohort that over-sampled non-marital births, which in the U.S. is a policy-relevant population. SGA was defined as <10th percentile of weight for gestational age compared to the national U.S. distribution. We estimated unadjusted and adjusted Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) models of associations between SGA and age at menarche in years, as well as unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models of associations between SGA and early menarche (before age 11). SGA was not significantly associated with earlier age at menarche, even when adjusting for maternal sociodemographic characteristics, prenatal smoking, and maternal pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity. Similarly, SGA was not significantly associated with the odds of menarche occurring before age 11. However, maternal non-Hispanic Black race-ethnicity, Hispanic ethnicity, and pre-pregnancy obesity all had independent associations with average earlier age at menarche and menarche before age 11. Thus, maternal risk factors appear to play more influential roles in determining pubertal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sruchika Sabu
- Department of Pediatrics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Hope Corman
- Department of Economics, Rider University and National Bureau of Economic Research, Lawrenceville, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Kelly Noonan
- Department of Economics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Nancy E Reichman
- Department of Pediatrics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Kirsten B Kuhn
- School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Sally Radovick
- Department of Pediatrics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America
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2
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Brown ER, Gettler LT, Rosenbaum S. Effects of social environments on male primate HPG and HPA axis developmental programming. Dev Psychobiol 2024; 66:e22491. [PMID: 38698633 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Developmental plasticity is particularly important for humans and other primates because of our extended period of growth and maturation, during which our phenotypes adaptively respond to environmental cues. The hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axes are likely to be principal targets of developmental "programming" given their roles in coordinating fitness-relevant aspects of the phenotype, including sexual development, adult reproductive and social strategies, and internal responses to the external environment. In social animals, including humans, the social environment is believed to be an important source of cues to which these axes may adaptively respond. The effects of early social environments on the HPA axis have been widely studied in humans, and to some extent, in other primates, but there are still major gaps in knowledge specifically relating to males. There has also been relatively little research examining the role that social environments play in developmental programming of the HPG axis or the HPA/HPG interface, and what does exist disproportionately focuses on females. These topics are likely understudied in males in part due to the difficulty of identifying developmental milestones in males relative to females and the general quiescence of the HPG axis prior to maturation. However, there are clear indicators that early life social environments matter for both sexes. In this review, we examine what is known about the impact of social environments on HPG and HPA axis programming during male development in humans and nonhuman primates, including the role that epigenetic mechanisms may play in this programming. We conclude by highlighting important next steps in this research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella R Brown
- Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Lee T Gettler
- Department of Anthropology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
- Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Stacy Rosenbaum
- Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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3
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Donovan A, Assari S, Grella C, Shaheen M, Richter L, Friedman TC. Neuroendocrine mechanisms in the links between early life stress, affect, and youth substance use: A conceptual model for the study of sex and gender differences. Front Neuroendocrinol 2024; 73:101121. [PMID: 38253240 PMCID: PMC11088508 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2024.101121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Early life stress (ELS) is defined as an acute or chronic stressor that negatively impacts a child's development. ELS is associated with substance use and mental health problems. This narrative literature review focuses on sex and gender differences in the effects of ELS on 1) adolescent neuroendocrine development; 2) pubertal brain maturation; and 3) development of internalizing symptoms and subsequent substance use. We posit that ELS may generate larger hormonal dysregulation in females than males during puberty, increasing internalizing symptoms and substance use. Future research should consider sex and gender differences in neuroendocrine developmental processes when studying the link between ELS and negative health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Donovan
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, 1731 E. 120th St., Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA.
| | - Shervin Assari
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, 1731 E. 120th St., Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA; Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, 1731 E. 120th St., Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA.
| | - Christine Grella
- Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, 10911 Weyburn Ave, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90024-2886, USA.
| | - Magda Shaheen
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, 1731 E. 120th St., Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA.
| | - Linda Richter
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, 1731 E. 120th St., Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA; Partnership to End Addiction, 711 Third Ave, 5(th) Floor, Suite 500, New York City, NY 10017, USA.
| | - Theodore C Friedman
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, 1731 E. 120th St., Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA.
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4
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Ding W, Xu Y, Kondracki AJ, Sun Y. Childhood adversity and accelerated reproductive events: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024; 230:315-329.e31. [PMID: 37820985 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Accelerated female reproductive events represent the early onset of reproductive events involving puberty, menarche, pregnancy loss, first sexual intercourse, first birth, parity, and menopause. This study aimed to explore the association between childhood adversity and accelerated female reproductive events. DATA SOURCES PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were systematically searched from September 22, 2022 to September 23, 2022. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Observational cohort, cross-sectional, and case-control studies in human populations were included if they reported the time of reproductive events for female individuals with experience of childhood adversity and were published in English. METHODS Two reviewers independently screened studies, obtained data, and assessed study quality, and conflicts were resolved by a third reviewer. Dichotomous outcomes were evaluated using meta-analysis, and pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were generated using random-effects models. Moderation analysis and meta-regression were used to investigate heterogeneity. RESULTS In total, 21 cohort studies, 9 cross-sectional studies, and 3 case-control studies were identified. Overall, female individuals with childhood adversity were nearly 2 times more likely to report accelerated reproductive events than those with no adversity exposure (odds ratio, 1.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.33-2.76; I2=99.6%; P<.001). Moderation analysis indicated that effect sizes for the types of childhood adversity ranged from an odds ratio of 1.61 (95% confidence interval, 1.23-2.09) for low socioeconomic status to 2.13 (95% confidence interval, 1.14-3.99) for dysfunctional family dynamics. Among the 7 groups based on different reproductive events, including early onset of puberty, early menarche, early sexual initiation, teenage childbirth, preterm birth, pregnancy loss, and early menopause, early sexual initiation had a nonsignificant correlation with childhood adversity (odds ratio, 2.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.88-8.30; I2=99.9%; P<.001). Considerable heterogeneity (I2>75%) between estimates was observed for over half of the outcomes. Age, study type, and method of data collection could explain 35.9% of the variance. CONCLUSION The literature tentatively corroborates that female individuals who reported adverse events in childhood are more likely to experience accelerated reproductive events. This association is especially strong for exposure to abuse and dysfunctional family dynamics. However, the heterogeneity among studies was high, requiring caution in interpreting the findings and highlighting the need for further evaluation of the types and timing of childhood events that influence accelerated female reproductive events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqin Ding
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuxiang Xu
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Anthony J Kondracki
- Department of Community Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA
| | - Ying Sun
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Hefei, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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5
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Tyborowska A, Volman I, Niermann HCM, Dapprich AL, Smeekens S, Cillessen AHN, Toni I, Roelofs K. Developmental shift in testosterone influence on prefrontal emotion control. Dev Sci 2024; 27:e13415. [PMID: 37341037 DOI: 10.1111/desc.13415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
A paradox of testosterone effects is seen in adolescents versus adults in social emotional approach-avoidance behavior. During adolescence, high testosterone levels are associated with increased anterior prefrontal (aPFC) involvement in emotion control, whereas during adulthood this neuro-endocrine relation is reversed. Rodent work shows that, during puberty, testosterone transitions from a neuro-developmental to a social-sexual activating hormone. In this study, we explored whether this functional transition is also present in human adolescents and young adults. Using a prospective longitudinal design, we investigated the role of testosterone on neural control of social emotional behavior during the transitions from middle to late adolescence and into young adulthood. Seventy-one individuals (tested at ages 14, 17, and 20 years) performed an fMRI-adapted approach-avoidance (AA) task involving automatic and controlled actions in response to social emotional stimuli. In line with predictions from animal models, the effect of testosterone on aPFC engagement decreased between middle and late adolescence, and shifted into an activational role by young adulthood-impeding neural control of emotions. This change in testosterone function was accompanied by increased testosterone-modulated amygdala reactivity. These findings qualify the testosterone-dependent maturation of the prefrontal-amygdala circuit supporting emotion control during the transition from middle adolescence into young adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Tyborowska
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Inge Volman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging (WIN), Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain (FMRIB), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Hannah C M Niermann
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Anna L Dapprich
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Sanny Smeekens
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen, Netherlands
- Pro Persona, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Ivan Toni
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Karin Roelofs
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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6
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Handley ED, Rogosch FA, Duprey EB, Russotti J, Cicchetti D. Profiles of diurnal cortisol and DHEA regulation among children: Associations with maltreatment experiences, symptomatology, and positive adaptation. Dev Psychopathol 2023; 35:1614-1626. [PMID: 35635209 PMCID: PMC9708938 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579422000335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Person-centered methods represent an important advance in the simultaneous examination of multiple indicators of neuroendocrine functioning and may facilitate a more nuanced understanding of the impact of child maltreatment on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation. The aims of the present study were threefold: (a) identify naturally occurring patterns of diurnal cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) regulation among a sample of N = 1,258 children with and without histories of maltreatment, (b) investigate which neuroendocrine profiles characterize children with exposure to maltreatment, and (c) examine which profiles are related to adaptive outcomes and symptomatology among children. Cortisol and DHEA were sampled three times per day (9 a.m., 12 p.m., and 4 p.m.) across 5 and 2 days, respectively. Four profiles of cortisol and DHEA regulation were identified. Among females, a pattern marked by high cortisol and low DHEA was associated with more pervasive maltreatment experiences. Furthermore, we found evidence of adaptive interpersonal resilience such that children with maltreatment exposure who evidenced this pattern of high cortisol and low DHEA were viewed as more likeable than maltreated children with other neuroendocrine patterns. Finally, results pointed to higher levels of internalizing symptoms among children who displayed a profile marked by average cortisol and high DHEA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Erinn B. Duprey
- Mt. Hope Family Center, University of Rochester
- University of Rochester Medical Center
| | | | - Dante Cicchetti
- Mt. Hope Family Center, University of Rochester
- University of Minnesota
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7
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Russotti J, Font SA, Toth SL, Noll JG. Developmental pathways from child maltreatment to adolescent pregnancy: A multiple mediational model. Dev Psychopathol 2023; 35:142-156. [PMID: 35074030 PMCID: PMC9309193 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579421001395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Adolescent pregnancy (AP) is a significant public health issue. Child maltreatment (CM) represents an established risk factor, yet little is known about the explanatory mechanisms linking the phenomena. Informed by developmental theory, this study prospectively tested seven multi-level, indirect pathways that could plausibly explain the relationship between CM and AP: (1) substance use (polysubstance use and frequency); (2) sexual risk behavior; (3) depressive symptoms; (4) posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms; (5) cognitive dysregulation; (6) pregnancy desire and difficulty expectancies; and (7) age at menarche. Data came from a prospective, longitudinal cohort study of 469 ethnically diverse, nulliparous adolescent females, designed to examine the impact of substantiated CM on reproductive outcomes such as pregnancy and childbirth (265 maltreated and 204 demographically matched comparison adolescents). A multiple-mediator structural equation model was conducted to simultaneously test multiple indirect effects while accounting for confounding variables. Maltreatment had an indirect effect on pregnancy via substance use and higher pregnancy desire/lower perceived difficulty. Findings represent a step towards elucidating pathways linking CM with AP. Recommendations are offered to prevent pregnancy by addressing the pregnancy-specific mechanisms that are part of the maltreatment sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Russotti
- Mt. Hope Family Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, USA
| | - Sarah A Font
- Department of Sociology and Criminology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA
| | - Sheree L Toth
- Mt. Hope Family Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, USA
| | - Jennie G Noll
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA
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8
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Black SR, Scalco MD, Mackin D, Shirtcliff EA, Klein DN. Longitudinal patterns of neuroendocrine coupling from middle childhood to early adolescence. Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22340. [PMID: 36426796 PMCID: PMC9708093 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Recent scholarship has highlighted the importance of understanding relations between hormones, rather than studying hormones in isolation. Considering neuroendocrine coupling, or the coordination of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis hormones over time, is one way to investigate how systems governing stress responsiveness and pubertal development covary during critical periods. To date, however, most work has considered hormone coupling cross-sectionally. The current study investigated neuroendocrine coupling in a longitudinal sample from the Northeastern United States. Youth (N = 437, 53% male, 90% White) provided saliva samples for analysis of diurnal hormone activity at ages 9 (three samples per day across 3 days) and 12 (one sample per day on the same weekday for 4 weeks). At both timepoints, samples collected 30-min after waking were assayed for cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and testosterone. Multilevel growth modeling was used to determine how levels of morning cortisol changed in tandem with DHEA and testosterone. Morning cortisol-DHEA coupling varied by child sex, as males' cortisol-DHEA diminished over time, especially among pubertally advanced males. Females, in contrast, demonstrated strengthening cortisol-DHEA coupling over time, especially more pubertally advanced females. Morning cortisol-testosterone coupling did not vary by sex or pubertal status, demonstrating strengthening associations between ages 9 and 12. The current findings contribute to the literature on hormone coupling across development and expand this work into an earlier developmental phase than previously investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R. Black
- Department of Psychology, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
| | - Matthew D. Scalco
- Department of Psychology, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
| | - Daniel Mackin
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
| | | | - Daniel N. Klein
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
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9
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Chafkin JE, O'Brien JM, Medrano FN, Lee HY, Josephs RA, Yeager DS. A dual-system, machine-learning approach reveals how daily pubertal hormones relate to psychological well-being in everyday life. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2022; 58:101158. [PMID: 36368088 PMCID: PMC9650000 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2022.101158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The two studies presented in this paper seek to resolve mixed findings in research linking activity of pubertal hormones to daily adolescent outcomes. In study 1 we used a series of Confirmatory Factor Analyses to compare the fit of one and two-factor models of seven steroid hormones (n = 994 participants, 8084 samples) of the HPA and HPG axes, using data from a field study (https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/web/ICPSR/studies/38180) collected over ten consecutive weekdays in a representative sample of teens starting high school. In study 2, we fit a Bayesian model to our large dataset to explore how hormone activity was related to outcomes that have been demonstrated to be linked to mental health and wellbeing (self-reports of daily affect and stress coping). Results reveal, first that a two-factor solution of adolescent hormones showed good fit to our data, and second, that HPG activity, rather than the more often examined HPA activity, was associated with improved daily affect ratios and stress coping. These findings suggest that field research, when it is combined with powerful statistical techniques, may help to improve our understanding of the relationship between adolescent hormones and daily measures of well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia E Chafkin
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
| | - Joseph M O'Brien
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Robert A Josephs
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - David S Yeager
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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10
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Osinubi AA, Lewis-de Los Angeles CP, Poitevien P, Topor LS. Are Black Girls Exhibiting Puberty Earlier? Examining Implications of Race-Based Guidelines. Pediatrics 2022; 150:188594. [PMID: 35909158 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2021-055595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Patricia Poitevien
- Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.,Department of Pediatrics
| | - Lisa Swartz Topor
- Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.,Department of Pediatrics.,Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Hasbro Children's Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
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11
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Hamlat EJ, Laraia B, Bleil ME, Deardorff J, Tomiyama AJ, Mujahid M, Shields GS, Brownell K, Slavich GM, Epel ES. Effects of Early Life Adversity on Pubertal Timing and Tempo in Black and White Girls: The National Growth and Health Study. Psychosom Med 2022; 84:297-305. [PMID: 35067653 PMCID: PMC8976748 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000001048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although exposure to abuse in early life predicts earlier pubertal timing, especially for girls, it is unclear if this association generalizes to nonabuse stressors. In addition, the impact of race on the stress-maturation association remains unknown. To address these issues, we examined whether race moderates the effects of early adversity on pubertal timing and tempo using a longitudinal study design. METHODS In a cohort of 9- and 10-year-old Black and White girls, pubertal (areolar and pubic hair) maturation was assessed annually for 7 years. In adulthood, 368 participants (186 Black, 182 White) reported on abuse and nonabuse stressors they experienced from ages 0 to 12 years. RESULTS Early life abuse was associated with earlier pubertal timing, as indexed by younger age at menarche (b = -0.22, p = .005, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.39 to -0.06) and greater pubic hair development (b = 0.11, p = .003, 95% CI = 0.04 to 0.18), in addition to slower pubertal tempo, as indexed by slower rate of pubic hair (b = -0.03, p < .001, 95% CI = -0.05 to -0.01) and areolar (b = -0.02, p = .02, 95% CI = -0.03 to -0.003) development. These associations were not found for nonabuse adversity. Black girls with early life abuse had greater pubic hair development (b = 0.23, p < .001, 95% CI = 0.12 to 0.35) and were slower in pubic hair tempo (b = -0.07, p < .001, 95% CI = -0.09 to -0.04) than their White counterparts. CONCLUSIONS Screening for early life abuse may help address health disparities related to earlier pubertal timing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elissa J. Hamlat
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Barbara Laraia
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - George M. Slavich
- Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology and Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Elissa S. Epel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco
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12
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Oelkers L, Vogel M, Kalenda A, Surup HC, Körner A, Kratzsch J, Kiess W. Socioeconomic Status Is Related to Pubertal Development in a German Cohort. Horm Res Paediatr 2022; 93:548-557. [PMID: 33730719 DOI: 10.1159/000513787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Current health literature suggests that there has been a decline in the age of pubertal onset and that pubertal onset/duration of puberty may, besides weight status, be influenced by socioeconomic context. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to determine whether pubertal onset/duration and puberty-triggering hormones luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) vary according to socioeconomic status (SES). Moreover, we aimed to propose cutoff values of serum LH and FSH for predicting gonadarche in boys. METHODS 2,657 apparently healthy children and adolescents between 5.5 and 18 years from the area of Leipzig were recruited from the LIFE Child study. Age at pubertal onset/end of puberty was given in 738/573 children, respectively. Anthropometric parameters of puberty, blood measurements of LH and FSH, and questionnaires assessing SES were evaluated. RESULTS Lower SES was associated with earlier thelarche and longer duration of puberty in overweight/obese girls, whereas age of menarche was not affected. In boys with low SES, a trend versus earlier puberty onset can be seen. Lower SES was significantly associated with boys' age at mutation. No significant differences in boys' and girls' serum levels of LH and FSH during puberty according to SES were observed. Serum LH levels of 0.56 IU/L and serum FSH levels of 1.74 IU/L showed the best prediction of gonadarche in boys. CONCLUSION Puberty onset/duration and boys' age at mutation is affected by SES. The proposed cutoff levels for serum LH and FSH could provide a serological tool to determine gonadarche in boys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Oelkers
- LIFE - Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mandy Vogel
- LIFE - Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Agnes Kalenda
- LIFE - Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Woman and Child Health, Hospital for Children and Adolescents and Center for Pediatric Research Leipzig (CPL), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hans Christian Surup
- LIFE - Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Antje Körner
- LIFE - Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Woman and Child Health, Hospital for Children and Adolescents and Center for Pediatric Research Leipzig (CPL), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jürgen Kratzsch
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics (ILM), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wieland Kiess
- LIFE - Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany, .,Department of Woman and Child Health, Hospital for Children and Adolescents and Center for Pediatric Research Leipzig (CPL), Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany,
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13
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Marceau K, Neiderhiser J. Generalist genes and specialist environments for adolescent internalizing and externalizing problems: A test of severity and directionality. Dev Psychopathol 2022; 34:379-386. [PMID: 33070802 PMCID: PMC8053717 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579420001108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The generalist genes specialist environment model, when applied to developmental psychopathology, predicts that genetic influences should explain variance that is shared across internalizing and externalizing problems, whereas environmental influences should explain variance that distinguishes the two overarching problem types. The present study is a direct test of this hypothesis, leveraging a sample of 708 twins and siblings (aged 10-18 years, 93% White) from the United States. Measures of severity of symptoms, regardless of type, and of directionality of symptoms - whether the adolescent tended to exhibit more externalizing or internalizing problems - were subjected to genetic (A), shared environmental (C), and nonshared environmental (E) (ACE) variance decompositions. As expected, severity of problems was under substantial genetic influence, but there were also significant shared and nonshared environmental influences. Contrary to the generalist genes specialist environment model, directionality of problem type was also under considerable genetic influence, with modest nonshared environmental influence. Findings corroborate existing evidence from other designs highlighting the role of familial influences (including generalist genes) in comorbidity of adolescent internalizing and externalizing problems, but suggest that the specialist environments hypothesis may not be the key factor in distinguishing problem type.
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14
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Miller JG, Chahal R, Gotlib IH. Early Life Stress and Neurodevelopment in Adolescence: Implications for Risk and Adaptation. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2022; 54:313-339. [PMID: 35290658 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
An alarming high proportion of youth experience at least one kind of stressor in childhood and/or adolescence. Exposure to early life stress is associated with increased risk for psychopathology, accelerated biological aging, and poor physical health; however, it is important to recognize that not all youth who experience such stress go on to develop difficulties. In fact, resilience, or positive adaptation in the face of adversity, is relatively common. Individual differences in vulnerability or resilience to the effects of early stress may be represented in the brain as specific patterns, profiles, or signatures of neural activation, structure, and connectivity (i.e., neurophenotypes). Whereas neurophenotypes of risk that reflect the deleterious effects of early stress on the developing brain are likely to exacerbate negative outcomes in youth, neurophenotypes of resilience may reduce the risk of experiencing these negative outcomes and instead promote positive functioning. In this chapter we describe our perspective concerning the neurobiological mechanisms and moderators of risk and resilience in adolescence following early life stress and integrate our own work into this framework. We present findings suggesting that exposure to stress in childhood and adolescence is associated with functional and structural alterations in neurobiological systems that are important for social-affective processing and for cognitive control. While some of these neurobiological alterations increase risk for psychopathology, they may also help to limit adolescents' sensitivity to subsequent negative experiences. We also discuss person-centered strategies that we believe can advance our understanding of risk and resilience to early stress in adolescents. Finally, we describe ways in which the field can broaden its focus to include a consideration of other types of environmental factors, such as environmental pollutants, in affecting both risk and resilience to stress-related health difficulties in youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas G Miller
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Rajpreet Chahal
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ian H Gotlib
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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15
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Wickrama KAS, Klopack ET, Sutton TE. Trajectories of adolescent stressful life events and young adults' socioeconomic and relational outcomes: Weight and depressive symptoms as mediators. BRITISH JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 2021; 40:334-351. [PMID: 34962311 DOI: 10.1111/bjdp.12401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about how biological and psychological consequences of adolescent stressful life events (SLEs) are jointly associated with socioeconomic and relational outcomes in adulthood. To address this gap, the present study involved testing a model based on the life course perspective that posits adolescent SLE trajectories produce parallel trajectories of depressive symptoms and weight status, which are jointly associated with socioeconomic status and intimate relationship quality in adulthood. Prospective data over 13 years from a nationally representative sample of 11,677 US adolescents was utilized. The results demonstrated that trajectories of BMI and depressive symptoms, which showed contemporaneous and longitudinal comorbidities over the early life course, were influenced by adolescent SLEs. Both BMI and depressive symptoms trajectories are additively and jointly associated with socioeconomic status and intimate relationship quality in adulthood. Additionally, adolescent SLE trajectories are directly associated with these adult outcomes. These observed associations persisted even after controlling for early family socioeconomic adversity and race/ethnicity. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A S Wickrama
- Department of Human Development & Family Science, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Eric T Klopack
- Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Tara E Sutton
- Department of Sociology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, USA
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16
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Keenan K, Fu H, Tung I, Berona J, Krafty RT, Hipwell AE, Stepp SD, Carpio K. Capturing the dynamic nature of stress exposure in the Pittsburgh Girls Study. SSM Popul Health 2021; 16:100983. [PMID: 34950762 PMCID: PMC8671117 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The science of stress exposure and health in humans has been hampered by differences in operational definitions of exposures and approaches to defining timing, leading to results that lack consistency and specificity. In the present study we aim to empirically derive variability in type, timing and chronicity of stress exposure for Black and White females using prospectively collected data in the Pittsburgh Girls Study (PGS). Methods The PGS is an ongoing 20-year longitudinal, community-based study. In this paper we focused on annual caregiver reports of three domains of stress: subsistence (e.g., resource strain, overcrowding); safety (e.g., community violence, inter-adult aggression), and caregiving (e.g., separation, maternal depression) from early childhood through adolescence. Z-scores were used to conduct a finite mixture model-based latent class trajectory analysis. Model fit was compared using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). We examined differences in timing and chronicity of stress exposure between Black and White girls. Results Distinct trajectory groups characterized by differential timing and chronicity of stress exposure were observed across all stress domains. Six trajectories characterized subsistence and safety stress, and five characterized caregiving stress. Variability in initial level, chronicity, and magnitude and timing of change was observed within and across domains of stressors. Race differences also varied across the domains: race differences in timing and chronicity were most pronounced for the subsistence and safety domains, whereas Black and White girls had similar levels of exposure to caregiving stress. Conclusions Substantial variability in timing and chronicity was observed within and across stress domains. Modeling specific domains and dimensions of stress exposure is likely important in testing associations between exposure and health; such specificity may lead to more effective deployment of preventive interventions based on stress exposure. Distinct trajectories in exposure were observed for subsistence, safety, and caregiving stress domains. Race differences in timing and chronicity of exposure were pronounced for subsistence and safety domains. Patterns of exposure (e.g., level, timing) are likely critical for understanding the impact on stress exposure on health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Keenan
- University of Chicago, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Haoyi Fu
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Biostatistics, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Irene Tung
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Johnny Berona
- University of Chicago, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Robert T Krafty
- Emory University, Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alison E Hipwell
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Stephanie D Stepp
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kristen Carpio
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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17
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Rowlands A, Juergensen EC, Prescivalli AP, Salvante KG, Nepomnaschy PA. Social and Biological Transgenerational Underpinnings of Adolescent Pregnancy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182212152. [PMID: 34831907 PMCID: PMC8620033 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182212152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Adolescent pregnancy (occurring < age 20) is considered a public health problem that creates and perpetuates inequities, affecting not only women, but societies as a whole globally. The efficacy of current approaches to reduce its prevalence is limited. Most existing interventions focus on outcomes without identifying or addressing upstream social and biological causes. Current rhetoric revolves around the need to change girls' individual behaviours during adolescence and puberty. Yet, emerging evidence suggests risk for adolescent pregnancy may be influenced by exposures taking place much earlier during development, starting as early as gametogenesis. Furthermore, pregnancy risks are determined by complex interactions between socio-structural and ecological factors including housing and food security, family structure, and gender-based power dynamics. To explore these interactions, we merge three complimentary theoretical frameworks: "Eco-Social", "Life History" and "Developmental Origins of Health and Disease". We use our new lens to discuss social and biological determinants of two key developmental milestones associated with age at first birth: age at girls' first menstrual bleed (menarche) and age at first sexual intercourse (coitarche). Our review of the literature suggests that promoting stable and safe environments starting at conception (including improving economic and social equity, in addition to gender-based power dynamics) is paramount to effectively curbing adolescent pregnancy rates. Adolescent pregnancy exacerbates and perpetuates social inequities within and across generations. As such, reducing it should be considered a key priority for public health and social change agenda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Rowlands
- Maternal and Child Health Laboratory and Crawford Laboratory of Evolutionary Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Emma C Juergensen
- Maternal and Child Health Laboratory and Crawford Laboratory of Evolutionary Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Ana Paula Prescivalli
- Maternal and Child Health Laboratory and Crawford Laboratory of Evolutionary Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Katrina G Salvante
- Maternal and Child Health Laboratory and Crawford Laboratory of Evolutionary Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Pablo A Nepomnaschy
- Maternal and Child Health Laboratory and Crawford Laboratory of Evolutionary Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
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18
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Gee DG. Early Adversity and Development: Parsing Heterogeneity and Identifying Pathways of Risk and Resilience. Am J Psychiatry 2021; 178:998-1013. [PMID: 34734741 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2021.21090944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Adversity early in life is common and is a major risk factor for the onset of psychopathology. Delineating the neurodevelopmental pathways by which early adversity affects mental health is critical for early risk identification and targeted treatment approaches. A rapidly growing cross-species literature has facilitated advances in identifying the mechanisms linking adversity with psychopathology, specific dimensions of adversity and timing-related factors that differentially relate to outcomes, and protective factors that buffer against the effects of adversity. Yet, vast complexity and heterogeneity in early environments and neurodevelopmental trajectories contribute to the challenges of understanding risk and resilience in the context of early adversity. In this overview, the author highlights progress in four major areas-mechanisms, heterogeneity, developmental timing, and protective factors; synthesizes key challenges; and provides recommendations for future research that can facilitate progress in the field. Translation across species and ongoing refinement of conceptual models have strong potential to inform prevention and intervention strategies that can reduce the immense burden of psychopathology associated with early adversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan G Gee
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, Conn
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19
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Hiatt RA, Stewart SL, Deardorff J, Danial E, Abdiwahab E, Pinney SM, Teitelbaum SL, Windham GC, Wolff MS, Kushi LH, Biro FM. Childhood Socioeconomic Status and Menarche: A Prospective Study. J Adolesc Health 2021; 69:33-40. [PMID: 34172141 PMCID: PMC8243506 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and menarche has implications for understanding social level influences on early life development and adult disease, including breast cancer, but remains ill defined. We report here results from the Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Program, which permitted a longitudinal study of age at menarche in relationship to childhood SES in a diverse cohort of 1,069 girls across three urban areas of the United States. METHODS We assessed the association of SES index quintiles with age at pubertal onset with breast budding and subsequent tempo to the age at menarche between 2004 and 2015 using multiple-event Cox regression models to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS In an unadjusted model, lower SES was predictive of both earlier pubertal onset and tempo and thus earlier age at menarche in trends across quintiles. After adjusting for the potentially mediating effects of body mass index, SES trends remained significant for both outcomes. After adjusting for both body mass index and race/ethnicity, the association with SES remained substantial for pubertal onset but was much diminished and nonsignificant for tempo and thus age at menarche. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that a lower SES environment and social adversity affect the age at menarche primarily by hastening pubertal onset rather than by shortening tempo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Hiatt
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
| | - Susan L Stewart
- Division of Biostatistics, University of California Davis, Davis, California
| | - Julianna Deardorff
- Division of Community Health Sciences, University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health, Berkeley, California
| | - Elizabeth Danial
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Ekland Abdiwahab
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Susan M Pinney
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Susan L Teitelbaum
- Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, Mt Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Gayle C Windham
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California
| | - Mary S Wolff
- Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, Mt Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | | | - Frank M Biro
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
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20
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Shields AN, Brandes CM, Reardon KW, España RA, Tackett JL. Do Testosterone and Cortisol Jointly Relate to Adolescent Dominance? A Pre-registered Multi-method Interrogation of the Dual-Hormone Hypothesis. ADAPTIVE HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND PHYSIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s40750-021-00167-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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21
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Crewther BT, Hecht M, Cook CJ. Diurnal Within-Person Coupling Between Testosterone and Cortisol in Healthy Men: Evidence of Positive and Bidirectional Time-Lagged Associations Using a Continuous-Time Model. ADAPTIVE HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND PHYSIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s40750-021-00162-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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22
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Luo Q, Zhang L, Huang CC, Zheng Y, Kanen JW, Zhao Q, Yao Y, Quinlan EB, Jia T, Banaschewski T, Bokde ALW, Bromberg U, Büchel C, Flor H, Frouin V, Garavan H, Gowland P, Heinz A, Ittermann B, Martinot JL, Martinot MLP, Nees F, Orfanos DP, Poustka L, Hohmann S, Fröhner JH, Smolka MN, Walter H, Whelan R, Sahakian BJ, Schumann G, Li F, Feng J, Desrivières S, Robbins TW. Association between childhood trauma and risk for obesity: a putative neurocognitive developmental pathway. BMC Med 2020; 18:278. [PMID: 33054810 PMCID: PMC7559717 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-020-01743-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood trauma increases the risk for adult obesity through multiple complex pathways, and the neural substrates are yet to be determined. METHODS Participants from three population-based neuroimaging cohorts, including the IMAGEN cohort, the UK Biobank (UKB), and the Human Connectome Project (HCP), were recruited. Voxel-based morphometry analysis of both childhood trauma and body mass index (BMI) was performed in the longitudinal IMAGEN cohort; validation of the findings was performed in the UKB. White-matter connectivity analysis was conducted to study the structural connectivity between the identified brain region and subdivisions of the hypothalamus in the HCP. RESULTS In IMAGEN, a smaller frontopolar cortex (FPC) was associated with both childhood abuse (CA) (β = - .568, 95%CI - .942 to - .194; p = .003) and higher BMI (β = - .086, 95%CI - .128 to - .043; p < .001) in male participants, and these findings were validated in UKB. Across seven data collection sites, a stronger negative CA-FPC association was correlated with a higher positive CA-BMI association (β = - 1.033, 95%CI - 1.762 to - .305; p = .015). Using 7-T diffusion tensor imaging data (n = 156), we found that FPC was the third most connected cortical area with the hypothalamus, especially the lateral hypothalamus. A smaller FPC at age 14 contributed to higher BMI at age 19 in those male participants with a history of CA, and the CA-FPC interaction enabled a model at age 14 to account for some future weight gain during a 5-year follow-up (variance explained 5.8%). CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight that a malfunctioning, top-down cognitive or behavioral control system, independent of genetic predisposition, putatively contributes to excessive weight gain in a particularly vulnerable population, and may inform treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Luo
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
- Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department & Child Primary Care Department, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Ministry of Education Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingli Zhang
- Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department & Child Primary Care Department, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, People's Republic of China
| | - Chu-Chung Huang
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Human Phenome Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 2005 Songhu Road, Shanghai, 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Jonathan W Kanen
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology and the Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
| | - Qi Zhao
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Yao
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
| | - Erin B Quinlan
- Medical Research Council - Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Tianye Jia
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
- Medical Research Council - Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Tobias Banaschewski
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Arun L W Bokde
- Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Uli Bromberg
- University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Herta Flor
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Vincent Frouin
- NeuroSpin, Commissariat à L'énergie Atomique, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Hugh Garavan
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Vermont, Burlington, USA
| | - Penny Gowland
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, UK
| | - Andreas Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernd Ittermann
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Abbestr. 2-12, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jean-Luc Martinot
- Institute National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unit 1000, Neuroimaging and Psychiatry, University Paris Sud-Paris Saclay, University Paris Descartes, Paris, France
- Service Hospitalier Frédéric Joliot, Orsay, France
- Maison de Solenn, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Laure Paillère Martinot
- Institute National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unit 1000, Neuroimaging and Psychiatry, University Paris Sud-Paris Saclay, University Paris Descartes, Paris, France
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Frauke Nees
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | - Luise Poustka
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah Hohmann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Square J5, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Juliane H Fröhner
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroimaging Center, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael N Smolka
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroimaging Center, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Henrik Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Whelan
- School of Psychology and Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Barbara J Sahakian
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
- Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department & Child Primary Care Department, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, People's Republic of China
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology and the Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
| | - Gunter Schumann
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
- Medical Research Council - Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Fei Li
- Developmental and Behavioral Pediatric Department & Child Primary Care Department, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jianfeng Feng
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
| | - Sylvane Desrivières
- Medical Research Council - Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Trevor W Robbins
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, People's Republic of China
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology and the Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
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23
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Howland MA, Donzella B, Miller BS, Gunnar MR. Pubertal recalibration of cortisol-DHEA coupling in previously-institutionalized children. Horm Behav 2020; 125:104816. [PMID: 32649929 PMCID: PMC7543053 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
As a period of heightened plasticity, puberty may provide a window of opportunity for recalibration of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to current conditions. Our group has recently documented evidence for pubertal recalibration of HPA axis reactivity among children internationally adopted as infants from institutions into supportive, well-resourced homes. As a first step at examining potential mechanisms by which puberty may facilitate recalibration of the HPA axis, the current study assessed whether previously-institutionalized (PI) children differed from non-adopted (NA) comparison children in levels of the adrenal steroid hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and in its intra-individual covariation (coupling) with cortisol by adrenal pubertal stage. In an accelerated longitudinal design, 7- to 15-year-olds completed up to 3 annual assessments, which included nurse-conducted pubertal staging and the Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Children (TSST-M). Adrenal (pubic hair) rather than gonadal pubertal stage scores were used in the analysis. Paired salivary cortisol-DHEA samples were available at 60-80 min post-TSST-M. NA and PI children did not differ in DHEA levels, which were higher among children at more advanced pubertal stages (averaged across the sessions) for both groups. For NA children, post-stressor cortisol and DHEA were positively coupled across sessions at all average adrenal pubertal stages. For PI children who were, on average, at earlier adrenal pubertal stages, post-stressor cortisol and DHEA were not coupled, but PI children who were at later pubertal stages demonstrated positive cortisol-DHEA coupling similar to that of the NA children. We suggest that these findings provide insights into processes which may underlie pubertal recalibration of the HPA axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariann A Howland
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, United States of America.
| | - Bonny Donzella
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, United States of America
| | - Bradley S Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, United States of America
| | - Megan R Gunnar
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, United States of America
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24
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Phan JM, Van Hulle CA, Shirtcliff EA, Schmidt NL, Goldsmith HH. Longitudinal effects of family psychopathology and stress on pubertal maturation and hormone coupling in adolescent twins. Dev Psychobiol 2020; 63:512-528. [PMID: 32862448 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Adolescents experience profound neuroendocrine changes, including hormone "coupling" between cortisol, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone. Emerging research has only begun to elucidate the role of hormone coupling, its genetic and environmental etiology, and the extent to which coupling is impacted by gender, puberty, and family context. We included measures on parent and child mental health, parenting stress, and family conflict of 444 twin pairs and their parents across two timepoints, when youth were on average 8 and 13 years old, respectively. Structural equation models examined the impact of family context effects on coupling during adolescence. Biometric twin models were then used to probe additive genetic, shared, and non-shared environmental effects on hormone coupling. Hormones were more tightly coupled for females than males, and coupling was sensitive to parental depression and co-twin psychopathology symptoms and stress exposure in females. The association between family context and coupling varied across specific neuroendocrine measures and was largely distinct from pubertal maturation. Biometric models revealed robust shared and non-shared environmental influences on coupling. We found that family antecedents modify the strength of coupling. Environmental influences account for much of the variation on coupling during puberty. Gender differences were found in genetic influences on coupling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny M Phan
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.,Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth A Shirtcliff
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Nicole L Schmidt
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - H Hill Goldsmith
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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25
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Eck SR, Ardekani CS, Salvatore M, Luz S, Kim ED, Rogers CM, Hall A, Lee DE, Famularo ST, Bhatnagar S, Bangasser DA. The effects of early life adversity on growth, maturation, and steroid hormones in male and female rats. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 52:2664-2680. [PMID: 31660665 PMCID: PMC8027906 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Early life adversity is a risk factor for psychiatric disorders, yet the mechanisms by which adversity increases this risk are still being delineated. Here, we used a limited bedding and nesting (LBN) manipulation in rats that models a low resource environment to examine effects on growth, developmental milestones, and endocrine endpoints. In LBN, dams and pups, from pups' postnatal days 2-9, are exposed to an environment where dams lack proper materials to build a nest. This manipulation is compared to control housing conditions, where rat dams have access to ample nesting materials and enrichment throughout pups' development. We found that the LBN condition altered maternal care, increasing pup-directed behaviors while reducing self-care. This, perhaps compensatory, increase in nursing and attention to pups did not mitigate against changes in metabolism, as LBN reduced weight gain in both sexes and this effect persisted into adulthood. Although adult stress hormone levels in both sexes and vaginal opening and estrous cycle length in females were not disrupted, there was other evidence of endocrine dysregulation. Compared to controls, LBN rats of both sexes had shortened anogenital distances, indicating reduced androgen exposure. LBN males also had higher plasma estradiol levels in adulthood. This combination of results suggests that LBN causes a demasculinizing effect in males that could contribute to lasting changes in the brain and behavior. Importantly, alterations in metabolic and endocrine systems due to early life adversity could be one mechanism by which stress early in life increases risk for later disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha R. Eck
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Cory S. Ardekani
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Madeleine Salvatore
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Sandra Luz
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Eric D. Kim
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Charleanne M. Rogers
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Arron Hall
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Demetrius E. Lee
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Sydney T. Famularo
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Seema Bhatnagar
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Debra A. Bangasser
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
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26
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King LS, Graber MG, Colich NL, Gotlib IH. Associations of waking cortisol with DHEA and testosterone across the pubertal transition: Effects of threat-related early life stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 115:104651. [PMID: 32199287 PMCID: PMC7183417 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Atypical regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a putative mechanism underlying the association between exposure to early life stress (ELS) and the subsequent development of mental and physical health difficulties. Recent research indicates that puberty is a period of HPA-axis plasticity during which the effects of exposure to ELS on cortisol regulation may change. In particular, increases in the sex hormones that drive pubertal maturation, including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and testosterone, may be implicated in pubertal recalibration of cortisol regulation. In the current study, we examined the associations among levels of objectively-rated threat-related ELS and salivary waking cortisol, DHEA, and testosterone in a sample of 178 adolescents (55 % female) who were in early puberty at baseline (Tanner stages 1-3; mean Tanner stage[SD] = 1.93[0.64]; mean age[SD] = 11.42[1.04]) and were followed up approximately two years later (mean Tanner stage[SD] = 3.46[0.86]; mean age[SD] = 13.38[1.06]). Using multi-level modeling, we disaggregated the effects of between-individual levels and within-individual increases in pubertal stage and sex hormones on change in cortisol. Controlling for between-individual differences in average pubertal stage, the association between levels of cortisol and DHEA was more strongly positive among adolescents who evidenced greater within-individual increases in pubertal stage across time. Both higher average levels and greater within-individual increases in DHEA and testosterone were associated with increases in cortisol across time, indicating positive coupling of developmental changes in these hormones; however, coupling was attenuated in adolescents who were exposed to more severe threat-related ELS prior to puberty. These findings advance our understanding of the development of the HPA-axis and its association with childhood environmental risk during puberty.
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27
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Ponzi D, Flinn MV, Muehlenbein MP, Nepomnaschy PA. Hormones and human developmental plasticity. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 505:110721. [PMID: 32004677 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Natural selection favors the evolution of mechanisms that optimize the allocation of resources and time among competing traits. Hormones mediate developmental plasticity, the changes in the phenotype that occur during ontogeny. Despite their highly conserved functions, the flexibilities of human hormonal systems suggest a strong history of adaptation to variable environments. Physiological research on developmental plasticity has focused on the early programming effects of stress, the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) and the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPGA) during critical periods, when the hormones produced have the strongest influence on the developing brain. Often this research emphasizes the maladaptive effects of early stressful experiences. Here we posit that the HPAA and HPAG systems in human developmental plasticity have evolved to be responsive to complex and dynamic problems associated with human sociality. The lengthy period of human offspring dependency, and its associated brain development and risks, is linked to the uniquely human combination of stable breeding bonds, extensive paternal effort in a multi-male group, extended bilateral kin recognition, grandparenting, and controlled exchange of mates among kin groups. We evaluate an evolutionary framework that integrates proximate physiological explanations with ontogeny, phylogeny, adaptive function, and comparative life history data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Ponzi
- Unit of Neuroscience, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy.
| | - Mark V Flinn
- Department of Anthropology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
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28
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Micol VJ, Roberts AG, Taylor-Cavelier SJ, Geiss EG, Lopez-Duran N. Early trauma moderates the link between familial risk for depression and post-stress DHEA/cortisol ratios in adolescents. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 110:104424. [PMID: 31536943 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.104424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND One proposed mechanism for familial transmission of depression risk is impaired ability to regulate stress. While much of this work has focused on the stress hormone cortisol, there is evidence that the neuroprotective hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may play a critical role in stress regulation and that the ratios of DHEA to cortisol may provide meaningful information about individual differences in stress processing. In this study, we examined DHEA and DHEA/cortisol ratios among teens at low and high risk for depression. METHODS Participants included 101 youth (12-16-year-old; 50 female) including 53 with a family history of depression (High Risk for depression). Adolescents and their parents completed diagnostic interviews, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Childhood Depression Inventory. Saliva samples were collected at multiple time points before and after adolescents underwent the Trier Social Stress Test. Cortisol and DHEA ratios were examined at baseline and 35 min post-stress initiation. RESULTS High risk (HR) and low risk (LR) participants did not differ on DHEA/cortisol ratios. However, childhood trauma moderated the relationship between risk group and DHEA/cortisol ratios, where at high levels of trauma, HR participants had significantly higher ratios than LR participants. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that higher DHEA/cortisol ratios may not be indicative of greater protection against risk for depression as previously conceptualized. In the context of early trauma, higher DHEA/cortisol ratios may reflect a blunting of the HPA-axis that is not observed when examining cortisol levels alone. This study has implications for our conceptualization of DHEA/cortisol ratios as an indicator of risk for psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie J Micol
- University of Michigan, Department of Psychology, United States.
| | | | | | - Elisa G Geiss
- University of Michigan, Department of Psychology, United States
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29
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Wadsworth ME, Broderick AV, Loughlin-Presnal JE, Bendezu JJ, Joos CM, Ahlkvist JA, Perzow SED, McDonald A. Co-activation of SAM and HPA responses to acute stress: A review of the literature and test of differential associations with preadolescents' internalizing and externalizing. Dev Psychobiol 2019; 61:1079-1093. [PMID: 31102264 PMCID: PMC6823107 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Understanding co-activation patterns of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and sympathetic adrenal medullary (SAM) during early adolescence may illuminate risk for development of internalizing and externalizing problems. The present study advances empirical work on the topic by examining SAM-HPA co-activation during both the reactivity and recovery phases of the stress response following acute stress exposure. Fourth and fifth grade boys and girls (N = 149) provided cortisol and alpha-amylase via saliva at seven times throughout a 95-min assessment in which they were administered the modified Trier Social Stress Test. Parents reported on adolescents' life stress, pubertal development, medication use, and externalizing problems. Adolescents reported their own internalizing symptoms. Multiple linear regressions tested both direct and interactive effects of SAM and HPA reactivity and recovery on internalizing and externalizing problems. Results from these analyses showed that whereas SAM and HPA reactivity interacted to predict internalizing symptoms, it was their interaction during the recovery phase that predicted externalizing. Concurrent high SAM and HPA reactivity scores predicted high levels of internalizing and concurrently low SAM and HPA recovery scores predicted high levels of externalizing. Implications of the findings for further study and clinical application are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jason J Bendezu
- The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Celina M Joos
- The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Jarl A Ahlkvist
- The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Sarah E D Perzow
- The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Ashley McDonald
- The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
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30
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Zhang L, Zhang D, Sun Y. Adverse Childhood Experiences and Early Pubertal Timing Among Girls: A Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16162887. [PMID: 31412531 PMCID: PMC6720214 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16162887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and pubertal timing has been a topic of enduring controversy. A systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science databases was undertaken to quantify the magnitude of total and specific forms of ACEs effects on early pubertal timing among girls. Our search identified 3280 records, of which 43 studies with 46 independent data sets met inclusion criteria. We estimated pooled effect sizes (Cohen’s ds) for the association between ACEs with early pubertal timing. Total ACEs was not associated with early pubertal timing. When we examined the specific types of ACEs, associations were small to medium for father absence (d = −0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.63, −0.16) and small for sexual abuse (d = −0.13, CI: −0.17, −0.10) and family dysfunction (d = −0.08, CI: −0.11, −0.02). We identified considerable heterogeneity between estimates for almost all of the outcomes. ACEs exposure may affect female reproductive reproduction, particularly father absence, sexual abuse, and family dysfunction. We propose that future research in this area test a theoretical model linking adversity with earlier reproductive strategy, which includes early pubertal timing as a core component linking early adversity and stress physiology with poor health outcomes later in life in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhang
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui Province, China
| | - Dandan Zhang
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui Province, China
| | - Ying Sun
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81th Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui Province, China.
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31
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Vine V, Hilt LM, Marroquín B, Gilbert KE. Socially oriented thinking and the biological stress response: Thinking of friends and family predicts trajectories of salivary cortisol decline. Psychophysiology 2019; 56:e13461. [PMID: 31403209 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The cortisol stress response has been related to perceived social support, but previous studies rely on self-reported social support variables. The cortisol recovery phase in particular has been theorized to serve a social coping function, but individual differences in recovery slope have not yet been examined in relation to social coping-relevant indices. This study addressed these gaps by examining the relationship of cortisol trajectories after a socioevaluative task to individual differences in covertly assessed cognitions related to close social relationships. We examined trajectories of cortisol change related to socially oriented thinking, the semi-implicit activation of cognitive representations of friends or family. Young adults (N = 64) gave salivary cortisol samples before and for 45 min after a speech task. Participants' thoughts were sampled repeatedly; the frequency of words related to friends or family was assessed to index socially oriented thinking. A free curve slope intercept latent growth curve model showed excellent fit with the cortisol data. Socially oriented thinking was unrelated to overall magnitude of cortisol response to the task (latent intercept) but predicted the latent cortisol trajectory, independently of cortisol intercept and baseline cortisol levels. Socially oriented thinkers showed more gradual cortisol declines, whereas nonsocially oriented thinkers showed a steeper downslope driven primarily by cortisol changes 45 min after the task. Individual differences in socially oriented thinking may manifest in different rates of biological changes following a performance task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Vine
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Lori M Hilt
- Department of Psychology, Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin
| | - Brett Marroquín
- Department of Psychology, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kirsten E Gilbert
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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32
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Dragan WŁ, Jednoróg K, Marchewka A. Sex-Specific Relationship of Childhood Adversity With Gray Matter Volume and Temperament. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:71. [PMID: 31031605 PMCID: PMC6473035 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: To date, many studies have attempted to show a relationship between potentially harmful experiences in childhood and gray matter volume (GMV) in specific brain areas. These studies managed to identify several affected regions, yet most of them neglected the influence of sex or the occurrence of mental health problems. Furthermore, little is known about mechanisms linking childhood adversity (CA) and temperamental traits as plausible endophenotypes of psychopathology. Objective: The present study addresses these two issues by trying to identify sex-specific relationships between CA and brain volumes as well as to show the role of the latter in predicting temperament scores. Method: Forty-eight people (23 women) without anxiety or affective disorders participated in this study. CA was measured using the Childhood Questionnaire (CQ) and temperament was measured with the use of the behavioral inhibition system-behavioral activation system (BIS-BAS) Scales. Whole-brain MR imaging was performed to identify GMV differences. Results: In women, we identified negative relationships between CA and GMV in the left inferior parietal lobule (IPL), right cerebellum, and right precentral gyrus. In men, we found a negative correlation between CA and GMV in the right fusiform gyrus. We also identified sex-specific relationships between CA and temperament traits. Conclusions: The results of our study suggest a sex-specific pattern in the relationship between early adverse experiences and brain structure. The results can also help explain the role that temperament plays in the relationship between CA and the risk of psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Łukasz Dragan
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Behavior Genetic Research, Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Jednoróg
- Laboratory of Language Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Artur Marchewka
- Laboratory of Brain Imaging, Neurobiology Center, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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33
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Belsky J. Early-Life Adversity Accelerates Child and Adolescent Development. CURRENT DIRECTIONS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.1177/0963721419837670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Most developmental work regards adverse developmental experiences as forces that undermine well-being. Here, I present an alternative—or complementary—view, summarizing recent evidence on puberty, endocrinology, cellular aging, and brain connectivity that collectively reveals developmental acceleration in response to contextual adversity. Findings are cast in evolutionary-developmental terms, highlighting the trade-off between accelerated aging and (a) increased morbidity and (b) premature mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Belsky
- Department of Human Ecology, University of California, Davis
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34
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Adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure: Effects on pubertal development, novelty seeking, and social interaction in adulthood. Alcohol 2019; 75:19-29. [PMID: 30326391 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol use initiated early in adolescence is a major predictor for the development of alcohol use disorders. This risk may be increased when drinking is initiated around the time of puberty, given evidence of bidirectional relationships between alcohol and gonadal hormones. The current study examined the effects of adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure (AIE) on pubertal timing and expression of novelty-seeking and peer-directed behaviors as well as neural correlates of these behaviors. AIE did not affect pubertal timing or the later expression of novelty-seeking and peer-directed behaviors. AIE increased corticosterone (CORT) levels in females not tested behaviorally in adulthood or tested in the novel-object exploration paradigm, whereas social interaction blunted CORT levels in AIE females. Delays in pubertal timing and decreases in CORT levels were correlated, however, with increased novelty seeking in adult males - a phenotype associated with increased addiction vulnerability. In females, social testing elevated oxytocin receptor (OXTR) mRNA expression in the central amygdala (CeA), with this social testing-associated elevation evident in the lateral septum (LS), regardless of sex. Vasopressin receptor 1a (AVP-1aR) mRNA expression in the CeA was enhanced by social testing in females, but not males, with expression of this gene suppressed by social testing in the LS in males, but not females. Together, these data demonstrate that behavioral and neural alterations that may serve as risk factors in later drug vulnerabilities are likely not the result of a single insult, but may reflect interactions among several variables including sex, pubertal timing, stress reactivity, and test circumstances.
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35
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Farooqi NAI, Scotti M, Yu A, Lew J, Monnier P, Botteron KN, Campbell BC, Booij L, Herba CM, Séguin JR, Castellanos-Ryan N, McCracken JT, Nguyen TV. Sex-specific contribution of DHEA-cortisol ratio to prefrontal-hippocampal structural development, cognitive abilities and personality traits. J Neuroendocrinol 2019; 31:e12682. [PMID: 30597689 PMCID: PMC6394408 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Although dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may exert neuroprotective effects in the developing brain, prolonged or excessive elevations in cortisol may exert neurotoxic effects. The ratio between DHEA and cortisol (DC ratio) has been linked to internalising and externalising disorders, as well as cognitive performance, supporting the clinical relevance of this hormonal ratio during development. However, the brain mechanisms by which these effects may be mediated have not yet been identified. Furthermore, although there is evidence that the effects of cortisol in the central nervous system may be sexually dimorphic in humans, the opposite is true for DHEA, with human studies showing no sex-specific associations in cortical thickness, cortico-amygdalar or cortico-hippocampal structural covariance. Therefore, it remains unclear whether sex moderates the developmental associations between DC ratio, brain structure, cognition and behaviour. In the present study, we examined the associations between DC ratio, structural covariance of the hippocampus with whole-brain cortical thickness, and measures of personality, behaviour and cognition in a longitudinal sample of typically developing children, adolescents and young adults aged 6-22 years (N = 225 participants [F = 128]; 355 scans [F = 208]), using mixed effects models that accounted for both within- and between-subject variances. We found sex-specific interactions between DC ratio and anterior cingulate cortex-hippocampal structural covariance, with higher DC ratios being associated with a more negative covariance between these structures in girls, and a more positive covariance in boys. Furthermore, the negative prefrontal-hippocampal structural covariance found in girls was associated with higher verbal memory and mathematical ability, whereas the positive covariance found in boys was associated with lower cooperativeness and reward dependence personality traits. These findings support the notion that the ratio between DHEA and cortisol levels may contribute, at least in part, to the development of sex differences in cognitive abilities, as well as risk for internalising/externalising disorders, via an alteration in prefrontal-hippocampal structure during the transition from childhood to adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasr A. I. Farooqi
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada, H3A1A1
| | - Martina Scotti
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada, H3A1A1
| | - Ally Yu
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada, H4A 3J1
| | - Jimin Lew
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada, H4A 3J1
| | - Patricia Monnier
- Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, McGill University
Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center,
Montreal, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
| | - Kelly N Botteron
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of
Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA, 63110
- Brain Development Cooperative Group
| | - Benjamin C. Campbell
- Department of Anthropology, University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA, 53211
| | - Linda Booij
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada, H3A1A1
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal,
QC, Canada, H4B 1R6
- CHU Sainte Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of
Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3T1C5
| | - Catherine M. Herba
- CHU Sainte Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of
Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3T1C5
- Department of Psychology, Université du
Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean R. Séguin
- CHU Sainte Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of
Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3T1C5
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of
Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3T1C5
| | - Natalie Castellanos-Ryan
- CHU Sainte Justine Hospital Research Centre, University of
Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3T1C5
- School of Psychoeducation, University of Montreal,
Montreal QC, Canada, H2V 2S9
| | - James T McCracken
- Brain Development Cooperative Group
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University
of California in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 90024
| | - Tuong-Vi Nguyen
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada, H3A1A1
- Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, McGill University
Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center,
Montreal, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
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36
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Abstract
The assumption that early stress leads to dysregulation and impairment is widespread in developmental science and informs prevailing models (e.g., toxic stress). An alternative evolutionary–developmental approach, which complements the standard emphasis on dysregulation, proposes that early stress may prompt the development of costly but adaptive strategies that promote survival and reproduction under adverse conditions. In this review, we survey this growing theoretical and empirical literature, highlighting recent developments and outstanding questions. We review concepts of adaptive plasticity and conditional adaptation, introduce the life history framework and the adaptive calibration model, and consider how physiological stress response systems and related neuroendocrine processes may function as plasticity mechanisms. We then address the evolution of individual differences in susceptibility to the environment, which engenders systematic person–environment interactions in the effects of stress on development. Finally, we discuss stress-mediated regulation of pubertal development as a case study of how an evolutionary–developmental approach can foster theoretical integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce J. Ellis
- Department of Psychology and Department of Anthropology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
| | - Marco Del Giudice
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
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37
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Roy ARK, Cook T, Carré JM, Welker KM. Dual-hormone regulation of psychopathy: Evidence from mass spectrometry. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 99:243-250. [PMID: 30390442 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Previous work suggests that testosterone and cortisol interactively predict psychopathy. This effect represents a reversal of the established dual-hormone hypothesis, whereby testosterone is positively correlated with psychopathic traits, but only among individuals with elevated cortisol concentrations. This study aims to replicate the dual-hormone moderation of psychopathy in two independent samples. Enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISAs) were used to assess cortisol across both samples and testosterone in Sample 1 (n = 165, 100% males). To address recent criticism of ELISAs and potentially extend these findings to women, testosterone concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in Sample 2 (n = 213, 44.1% males). We found conflicting evidence of the dual-hormone moderation of psychopathic traits. Although results were non-significant in Sample 1, a reversal of the dual-hormone hypothesis was found in Sample 2, in which testosterone was positively correlated with psychopathic traits, but only among individuals with high cortisol. This replication provides mixed support for less common reversals to the dual-hormone hypothesis. These findings emphasize the importance of using LC-MS/MS to measure testosterone and adds to the growing body of work on the relationship between hormones and psychopathology in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashlin R K Roy
- 100 William T. Morrissey Blvd, Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - Terence Cook
- 100 William T. Morrissey Blvd, Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States.
| | - Justin M Carré
- 100 College Drive, Department of Psychology, Nipissing University, North Bay, ON P1B 8L7, Canada.
| | - Keith M Welker
- 100 William T. Morrissey Blvd, Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States.
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38
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Roberts AG, Lopez-Duran NL. Developmental influences on stress response systems: Implications for psychopathology vulnerability in adolescence. Compr Psychiatry 2019; 88:9-21. [PMID: 30466015 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Revised: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The adolescent transition is marked by increases in stress exposure and significant maturation of neural and hormonal stress processing systems. Variability in the development of these systems during adolescence may influence the risk for stress-related psychopathology. This paper aims to review the developmental maturation of the HPA axis and related stress regulation systems, and demonstrate how interference in this adaptive developmental process may increase the risk for negative outcomes. We argue that the developmental maturation of the HPA axis aims to improve the regulatory capacity of the axis in order to more adaptively respond to these increases in stress reactivity. Additionally, we review evidence that sex differences in the development of the HPA and related axes may contribute to sex differences in the risk for stress-related psychopathology. Finally, we discuss how contextual factors, such as early trauma and obesity may alter the development of HPA axis during the adolescence transition and how alterations of normative development increase the risk for stress-related disorders.
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39
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Farooqi N, Scotti M, Lew J, Botteron KN, Karama S, McCracken JT, Nguyen TV. Role of DHEA and cortisol in prefrontal-amygdalar development and working memory. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 98:86-94. [PMID: 30121549 PMCID: PMC6204313 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence that both dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and cortisol play an important role in regulating physical maturation and brain development. High DHEA levels tend to be associated with neuroprotective and indirect anabolic effects, while high cortisol levels tend to be associated with catabolic and neurotoxic properties. Previous literature has linked the ratio between DHEA and cortisol levels (DC ratio) to disorders of attention, emotional regulation and conduct, but little is known as to the relationship between this ratio and brain development. Due to the extensive links between the amygdala and the cortex as well as the known amygdalar involvement in emotional regulation, we examined associations between DC ratio, structural covariance of the amygdala with whole-brain cortical thickness, and validated report-based measures of attention, working memory, internalizing and externalizing symptoms, in a longitudinal sample of typically developing children and adolescents 6-22 years of age. We found that DC ratio predicted covariance between amygdalar volume and the medial anterior cingulate cortex, particularly in the right hemisphere. DC ratio had a significant indirect effect on working memory through its impact on prefrontal-amygdalar covariance, with higher DC ratios associated with a prefrontal-amygdalar covariance pattern predictive of higher scores on a measure of working memory. Taken together, these findings support the notion, as suggested by animal and in vitro studies, that there are opposing effects of DHEA and cortisol on brain development in humans, and that these effects may especially target prefrontal-amygdalar development and working memory, in a lateralized fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasr Farooqi
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
| | - Martina Scotti
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
| | - Jimin Lew
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1
| | - Kelly N Botteron
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA, 63110,Brain Development Cooperative Group
| | - Sherif Karama
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1,McConnell Brain imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, QC Canada H3A 2B4,Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada, H4H 1R3
| | - James T McCracken
- Brain Development Cooperative Group,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of California in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 90024
| | - Tuong-Vi Nguyen
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada; Research Institute of McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada; Department of Obstetrics-Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada.
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40
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Genc S, Smith RE, Malpas CB, Anderson V, Nicholson JM, Efron D, Sciberras E, Seal ML, Silk TJ. Development of white matter fibre density and morphology over childhood: A longitudinal fixel-based analysis. Neuroimage 2018; 183:666-676. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.08.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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41
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Smith JD, Johnson KA, Whittle S, Allen NB, Simmons JG. Measurement of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, and testosterone in the hair of children: Preliminary results and promising indications. Dev Psychobiol 2018; 61:962-970. [PMID: 30478964 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Hormone analysis is a valuable tool for understanding how physiology and behavior interact. Cortisol in hair has recently been examined as a measure of longer-term hormone output. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between other androgens in hair and anthropometric measures. In a child sample (n = 114, mean age: 8.5 years, 66 females) levels of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and testosterone were assayed in the 0-3 cm section proximal to scalp. The 3-6 cm segment within a subsample of female participants (n = 35) was examined and compared. Results showed that testosterone strongly correlated with DHEA, and moderately correlated with cortisol (0-3 cm only). Higher hormone concentrations were present in the 3-6 cm segment. Finally, there was a weak positive association between DHEA and height. The replication of previously identified associations between androgens, particularly testosterone-DHEA, and with developmental measures suggests hair may offer a valid method of hormone measurement for DHEA and testosterone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse D Smith
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katherine A Johnson
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah Whittle
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Julian G Simmons
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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42
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Gee DG, Bath KG, Johnson CM, Meyer HC, Murty VP, van den Bos W, Hartley CA. Neurocognitive Development of Motivated Behavior: Dynamic Changes across Childhood and Adolescence. J Neurosci 2018; 38:9433-9445. [PMID: 30381435 PMCID: PMC6209847 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1674-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to anticipate and respond appropriately to the challenges and opportunities present in our environments is critical for adaptive behavior. Recent methodological innovations have led to substantial advances in our understanding of the neurocircuitry supporting such motivated behavior in adulthood. However, the neural circuits and cognitive processes that enable threat- and reward-motivated behavior undergo substantive changes over the course of development, and these changes are less well understood. In this article, we highlight recent research in human and animal models demonstrating how developmental changes in prefrontal-subcortical neural circuits give rise to corresponding changes in the processing of threats and rewards from infancy to adulthood. We discuss how these developmental trajectories are altered by experiential factors, such as early-life stress, and highlight the relevance of this research for understanding the developmental onset and treatment of psychiatric disorders characterized by dysregulation of motivated behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan G Gee
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520,
| | - Kevin G Bath
- Department of Cognitive, Linguistic, and Psychological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912
| | - Carolyn M Johnson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138
| | - Heidi C Meyer
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065
| | - Vishnu P Murty
- Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122
| | - Wouter van den Bos
- Department of Developmental Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands, and
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43
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Kilimnik CD, Meston CM. A Developmentally Relevant Approach to Classifying Nonconsensual Sexual Experiences in the Study of Women's Sexual Well-Being. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2018; 55:824-836. [PMID: 28933951 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2017.1366969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In this article we propose a sexual developmental approach to classifying the onset of nonconsensual sexual experiences (NSEs) that differs from the traditional age cutoff approach. Online measures of sexual self-schemas, sexual response, and sexual functioning were administered to 797 women with and without NSE histories. Women were grouped based on when their NSEs first occurred in reference to their age of menarche and age of their first consensual sexual experience (i.e., premenarche onset, postmenarche preconsensual onset, postconsensual onset, and no NSEs). Between-group analyses assessed differences in sexual well-being and structural equation modeling (SEM) assessed measurement invariance across the four groups. Women with NSE onset postmenarche but before their first consensual sexual experience reported significantly more conservative-embarrassed sexual self-schemas than did women with no NSEs. Women with NSE onset postmenarche and post-first consensual sex had significantly less sexual satisfaction than did women with no NSE histories. The other groups did not significantly differ from each other. The model demonstrated partial indicator-level metric noninvariance, suggesting that the various indicators of sexuality contributed differentially to the overall sexual well-being across these groups of women. The results support the use of the developmentally informed approach to classifying NSEs when assessing female sexual well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cindy M Meston
- a Department of Psychology , The University of Texas at Austin
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44
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Lian Q, Zuo X, Mao Y, Zhang Y, Luo S, Zhang S, Lou C, Tu X, Zhou W. The impact of the Wenchuan earthquake on early puberty: a natural experiment. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5085. [PMID: 29967743 PMCID: PMC6027660 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The factors influencing pubertal timing have gained much attention due to a secular trend toward earlier pubertal onset in many countries. However, no studies have investigated the association between the Great earthquake and early puberty. We aimed to assess whether the Wenchuan earthquake is associated with early puberty, in both boys and girls. Methods We used data from two circles of a survey on reproductive health in China to explore the impact of the Wenchuan earthquake on early puberty , and a total of 9,785 adolescents (4,830 boys, 49.36%) aged 12-20 years from 29 schools in eight provinces were recruited. Wenchuan earthquake exposure was defined as those Sichuan students who had not experienced oigarche/menarche before May 12, 2008. Early puberty was identified as a reported onset of oigarche/menarche at 11 years or earlier. We tested the association between the Wenchuan earthquake and early puberty in boys and girls. Then, subgroup analysis stratified by the age at earthquake exposure also was performed. Results In total, 8,883 adolescents (4,543 boys, 51.14%) with a mean (SD) age of 15.13 (1.81) were included in the final sample. In general, children exposed to the earthquake had three times greater risk of early puberty (boys, RR [95% CI] = 3.18 [2.21-4.57]; girls: RR [95%CI] =3.16 [2.65-3.78]). Subgroup analysis showed that the adjusted RR was 1.90 [1.19-3.03] for boys and 2.22 [1.75-2.80] for girls. Earthquake exposure predicted almost a fourfold (RR [95%CI] = 3.91 [1.31-11.72]) increased risk of early puberty in preschool girls, whereas the increase was about twofold (RR [95%CI] = 2.09 [1.65-2.64]) in schoolgirls. Among boys, only older age at earthquake exposure was linked to early puberty (RR [95%CI] = 1.93 [1.18-3.16]). Conclusions Wenchuan earthquake exposure increased the risk of early puberty in boys and girls, and preschoolers were more at risk than schoolchildren. The implications are relevant to support policies for those survivors, especially children, to better rebuild after disasters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiguo Lian
- Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiayun Zuo
- Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanyan Mao
- Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shan Luo
- West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shucheng Zhang
- National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing, China
| | - Chaohua Lou
- Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaowen Tu
- Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Weijin Zhou
- Key Lab. of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Shanghai, China
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45
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Worthman CM, Trang K. Dynamics of body time, social time and life history at adolescence. Nature 2018; 554:451-457. [PMID: 29469099 DOI: 10.1038/nature25750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent opposing trends towards earlier physical maturation and later social maturation present a conundrum of apparent biological-social mismatch. Here we use life history analysis from evolutionary ecology to identify forces that drive these shifts. Together with findings in developmental science, our life history analysis indicates that adolescence is a distinctive period for biological embedding of culture. Ethnographic evidence shows that mass education is a novel feature of the globalizing cultural configurations of adolescence, which are driven by transformations in labour, livelihood and lifestyle. Evaluation of the life history trade-offs and sociocultural ecologies that are experienced by adolescents may offer a practical basis for enhancing their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol M Worthman
- 1Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Kathy Trang
- 1Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
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46
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Neither antecedent nor consequence: Developmental integration of chronic stress, pubertal timing, and conditionally adapted stress response. DEVELOPMENTAL REVIEW 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dr.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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47
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Roth MC, Humphreys KL, King LS, Gotlib IH. Self-reported neglect, amygdala volume, and symptoms of anxiety in adolescent boys. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2018; 80:80-89. [PMID: 29574295 PMCID: PMC5953811 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 02/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Experiences of psychosocial neglect affect the developing brain and may place individuals at increased risk for anxiety. The majority of research in this area has focused on children who have experienced severe psychosocial deprivation; it is not clear whether typical variation in neglect experienced in community samples would have the same neurobiological consequences as those documented in extreme samples. The present study examined the associations among self-reported childhood neglect, amygdala volume, and anxiety symptoms in a community sample of 138 adolescents ages 9-15 years (43% male). Linear mixed modeling yielded a three-way interaction of neglect, sex, and brain hemisphere, reflecting a significant positive association between neglect and right amygdala volume in boys. Additional analyses indicated that right amygdala volume significantly mediated the association between neglect and anxiety symptoms in boys. These findings are consistent with previous reports of larger amygdala volumes in previously institutionalized children, and with documented associations between caregiving deprivation and anxiety symptoms. The results suggest that the effects of childhood neglect on limbic structures are sex-specific and lateralized, and provide support for a neural mechanism relating childhood neglect to later difficulties in emotional functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa C Roth
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | | | - Lucy S King
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ian H Gotlib
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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48
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Koss KJ, Gunnar MR. Annual Research Review: Early adversity, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis, and child psychopathology. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2018; 59:327-346. [PMID: 28714126 PMCID: PMC5771995 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 253] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research on early adversity, stress biology, and child development has grown exponentially in recent years. FINDINGS We review the current evidence for the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis as a stress-mediating mechanism between various forms of childhood adversity and psychopathology. We begin with a review of the neurobiology of the axis and evidence for relations between early adversity-HPA axis activity and HPA axis activity-psychopathology, as well as discuss the role of regulatory mechanisms and sensitive periods in development. CONCLUSIONS We call attention to critical gaps in the literature to highlight next steps in this research including focus on developmental timing, sex differences, stress buffering, and epigenetic regulation. A better understanding of individual differences in the adversity-HPA axis-psychopathology associations will require continued work addressing how multiple biological and behavioral systems work in concert to shape development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalsea J. Koss
- Center for Research on Child Wellbeing, Office of Population Research, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton, Princeton University, NJ, USA
| | - Megan R. Gunnar
- Center for Research on Child Wellbeing, Office of Population Research, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton, Princeton University, NJ, USA
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49
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Methodologic Considerations for the Study of Childhood Sexual Abuse in Sexual Health Outcome Research: A Comprehensive Review. Sex Med Rev 2018; 6:176-187. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2017.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Revised: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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50
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Fragkaki I, Cima M, Granic I. The role of trauma in the hormonal interplay of cortisol, testosterone, and oxytocin in adolescent aggression. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 88:24-37. [PMID: 29156403 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Although numerous studies have examined the neuroendocrinology of aggression, the findings are mixed and focused on cortisol and testosterone. We argue that past findings remain inconclusive partly because the key roles of oxytocin and trauma have not been systematically integrated yet. Oxytocin is associated with social behavior and interacts with cortisol and testosterone, whereas trauma is a crucial risk factor of aggression that strongly affects hormonal activity. In this review, we investigate the role of trauma in the hormonal interplay of cortisol, testosterone, and oxytocin in aggression during adolescence. We first discuss how these hormones interact with each other and how trauma influences these interactions and then we propose a model that highlights the role of trauma in the hormonal interplay in aggression. We suggest that the timing of trauma has a distinct effect on hormonal activity and it should be integrated into any comprehensive model. Current trauma is linked to different levels of oxytocin, cortisol, testosterone, and testosterone/cortisol ratio than childhood trauma, but this distinction is also influenced by gender and type of aggression. We conclude that in order to better understand the neuroendocrinology of aggression, it is crucial to incorporate the investigation of oxytocin and trauma in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iro Fragkaki
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Maaike Cima
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Isabela Granic
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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