Long-Term Effects of Early Life Stress in Nonhuman Primates

Childhood maltreatment leads to increased risk for psychopathology. It has also been reported in nonhuman primates, causing developmental alterations in socioemotional behavior, stress responses and neural circuits underlying these functions. Prefrontal circuits and brain serotonin system are particularly vulnerable, and their alterations underlie the increased emotional reactivity, aggression and perpetuation of abuse observed. Vulnerability and resilience factors will also be discussed.