Abstract
Early-life experiences influence brain structure and function long-term, contributing to resilience or vulnerability to stress and stress-related disorders. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms by which early-life experiences program specific brain cells and circuits to shape life-long cognitive and emotional functions is crucial. We identify the population of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-expressing neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) as a key, early target of early-life experiences. Adverse experiences increase excitatory neurotransmission onto PVN CRH cells, whereas optimal experiences, such as augmented and predictable maternal care, reduce the number and function of glutamatergic inputs onto this cell population. Altered synaptic neurotransmission is sufficient to initiate large-scale, enduring epigenetic re-programming within CRH-expressing neurons, associated with stress resilience and additional cognitive and emotional outcomes. Thus, the mechanisms by which early-life experiences influence the brain provide tractable targets for intervention.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 30 |
| Journal | Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience |
| Volume | 13 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Feb 18 2019 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Behavioral Neuroscience
Cite this
Programming of stress-sensitive neurons and circuits by early-life experiences. / Bolton, Jessica L.; Short, Annabel Katherine; Simeone, Kristina A.; Daglian, Jennifer; Baram, Tallie Z.
In: Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, Vol. 13, 30, 18.02.2019.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Programming of stress-sensitive neurons and circuits by early-life experiences
AU - Bolton, Jessica L.
AU - Short, Annabel Katherine
AU - Simeone, Kristina A.
AU - Daglian, Jennifer
AU - Baram, Tallie Z.
PY - 2019/2/18
Y1 - 2019/2/18
N2 - Early-life experiences influence brain structure and function long-term, contributing to resilience or vulnerability to stress and stress-related disorders. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms by which early-life experiences program specific brain cells and circuits to shape life-long cognitive and emotional functions is crucial. We identify the population of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-expressing neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) as a key, early target of early-life experiences. Adverse experiences increase excitatory neurotransmission onto PVN CRH cells, whereas optimal experiences, such as augmented and predictable maternal care, reduce the number and function of glutamatergic inputs onto this cell population. Altered synaptic neurotransmission is sufficient to initiate large-scale, enduring epigenetic re-programming within CRH-expressing neurons, associated with stress resilience and additional cognitive and emotional outcomes. Thus, the mechanisms by which early-life experiences influence the brain provide tractable targets for intervention.
AB - Early-life experiences influence brain structure and function long-term, contributing to resilience or vulnerability to stress and stress-related disorders. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms by which early-life experiences program specific brain cells and circuits to shape life-long cognitive and emotional functions is crucial. We identify the population of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-expressing neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) as a key, early target of early-life experiences. Adverse experiences increase excitatory neurotransmission onto PVN CRH cells, whereas optimal experiences, such as augmented and predictable maternal care, reduce the number and function of glutamatergic inputs onto this cell population. Altered synaptic neurotransmission is sufficient to initiate large-scale, enduring epigenetic re-programming within CRH-expressing neurons, associated with stress resilience and additional cognitive and emotional outcomes. Thus, the mechanisms by which early-life experiences influence the brain provide tractable targets for intervention.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85064197246&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85064197246&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00030
DO - 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00030
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85064197246
VL - 13
JO - Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
JF - Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
SN - 1662-5153
M1 - 30
ER -