Negative experiences in early life, such as neglect, isolation, stress, and physical and emotional abuse, among others, are known as Early Life Adversity (ELA) events. Evidence from experimental animal models and human studies has linked ELA during key developmental stages to long-lasting changes in brain structure and function, impacting brain development and affecting behavioral and cognitive processes later in life. ELA has been linked not only to neuropsychiatric disorders like anxiety and depression but also to addiction, neurodegeneration, and broader mental health consequences such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidality, and impaired social functioning. While susceptibility to such disorders is increased by ELA, emerging research suggests nuanced differences in how male and female subjects are affected, underpinning the complexity of ELA’s impact across gender.

Different animal models have been instrumental in replicating the multifaceted nature of ELA in a controlled environment, such as rodent models of ELA including maternal separation, pain exposure, limited bedding and nesting, social defeat, sexual aggression, early life stress (electric shocks, forced swimming), and social isolation. Models have proved effective in highlighting alterations in key brain regions such as the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental area, and hypothalamus, areas associated with maladaptive behaviours such as addiction, mental health disorders, and with neurodegenerative processes such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Furthermore, ELA research sheds light on the biological and psychosocial processes that contribute to increased risk for lifelong mental health challenges.

Yet, the mechanisms through which ELA interacts and influences epigenetic processes within neural networks to shape developmental pathways and predispose individuals to susceptibility to mental health conditions, neuropsychiatric disorders, and neurodegeneration in adulthood are still not fully understood. Key biological inquiries, including the identification of specific pathways that connect ELA to mental health disorders and the role of genetic and epigenetic factors in the onset of ELA-related conditions, remain unanswered.

This Research Topic aims to explore the translational potential of ELA models, focusing on how early developmental experiences can lead to behavioral dysfunctions, mental health challenges, and neurodegenerative outcomes later in life. It seeks to investigate novel methodological approaches and technical advances to address this critical subject.
Research will present the differential effects of ELA based on sex differences, the efficacy and limitations of various ELA animal models, and the role of specific brain areas in mediating ELA's long-term effects. Additionally, it aims to identify novel molecular markers as predictors of ELA-induced pathology and explore the translational potential of ELA research in developing therapeutic strategies for mental health, addiction, and neurodegeneration.

We are particularly interested in:

• Differential effects of ELA based on sex differences.
• Efficacy and limitations of various ELA animal models in translational research.
• Role and structural changes of specific brain areas mediating ELA's long-term effects.
• Identification of novel molecular markers as predictors of ELA-induced pathology.
• Translational potential of ELA research in developing therapeutic strategies for mental health disorders, addiction, and neurodegeneration.
• Methodological innovations and technical advances for precise measurement of ELA outcomes.
• ELA as a risk factor for AD-like disorders, addiction, mental health conditions, and underlying signaling mechanisms.

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Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience

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