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Developmental Contributors to Trauma Response: The Importance of Sensitive Periods, Early Environment, and Sex Differences

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Behavioral Neurobiology of PTSD

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences ((CTBN,volume 38))

Abstract

This review considers early factors that interact with development to contribute to later trauma responses, including developmental sensitive periods, the effects of early environment, and the emergence of sex differences. We also describe development of neural substrates that have been associated with posttraumatic stress disorder and specifically focus on fear behavior and circuitry. Emerging evidence suggests that there may be developmental shifts around age 10 in these underlying circuits that may contribute to vulnerability. We also discuss age-related changes in the importance of caregiver availability as positive buffering factors. Hormonal changes later in development with onset during puberty appear to further shape development trajectories toward risk or resilience. We highlight these recent findings as well as the great need for further longitudinal research from middle childhood through early adulthood.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 49 Jesse Hill Jr Dr, Suite 331, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA

    Jennifer S. Stevens, Sanne J. H. van Rooij & Tanja Jovanovic

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  1. Jennifer S. Stevens
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  2. Sanne J. H. van Rooij
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  3. Tanja Jovanovic
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Correspondence to Tanja Jovanovic .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Eric Vermetten

  2. Department of Psychiatry, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA

    Dewleen G. Baker

  3. Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Victoria B. Risbrough

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Stevens, J.S., van Rooij, S.J.H., Jovanovic, T. (2016). Developmental Contributors to Trauma Response: The Importance of Sensitive Periods, Early Environment, and Sex Differences. In: Vermetten, E., Baker, D.G., Risbrough, V.B. (eds) Behavioral Neurobiology of PTSD. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, vol 38. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2016_38

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