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Originally Posted by Conductor71
There is some interesting talk in the British media among child and family psychologists...that putting children in daycare before the age of three may permanently affect cortisol levels in the brain leading to many problems later in life... no one gives specifics. Anyway, I realized within a few moments that what is important is that the idea of cortisol as neurotoxic is making the popular press further substantiating Rick's theory on its possible role in YOPD. If we look further at the analysis of the research, it is perhaps too flawed to see a real link. However, it does raise interesting subtexts on how much our modern lifestyle may wreak havoc on our symptoms and contribute to putting us here in the first place.
The best part is the link to the Neuroskeptic's blog and a lucid discussion on the role of cortisol in wealth of information therein. Yes, it is written by a neuroscientist on a mission to debunk myth and bad neuro-science...highly entertaining and informative. Just wanted to share and see if we cannot generate further interest in cortisol or other related topics.
Laura
Laura |
Laura, I do think you are on to something here.
There are a number of recent U.S. studies of low-income children that suggest chronic stress resulting from family instability, poor housing, and violence, can affect long-term health. Children who are exposed to long-term stressors are more likely to develop obesity, hypertension, cardiac problems, diabetes, and asthma as adults than children not so exposed. One such study comes out of Stanford University. And there are other studies that suggest chronic childhood stress can caiuse neurological problems such as anxiety, tics, attention disorders, depression, and bipolar disorder.
Why this happens is not known but some scientists have speculated that chronic childhood stress causes facultative hyperthyroidism which is known to occur in people with PTSD. As to the genetics of stress, the gene MAOB has been under study for its role in stress and bipolar disorder. When the gene is under-active, it seems to have some correlation with bipolar disorder and increased reactivity to stress. MAOB also helps regulate dopamine, and variants of this gene influence the risk of Parkinson's disease.
So it may well be that chronic early stressors, like poverty, community violence, and unstable family situations, contribute as powerfully to the development of YOPD in some PWP as environmental factors do in others. If that's the case, we really do need to be mindful of the value of taking the village to raise not only the happy and health child but also the happy and healthy adult.