Early-life stress caused by neglect or abuse may be associated with increased risk of behavioural and emotional problems during adolescence, says an Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) study in rhesus monkeys.
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Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that youngsters subject to neglect, abuse or loss of a parent are at heightened risk for such disorders as anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, drug abuse and suicide, the Associated Press report.
The study was presented this week at a US Society for Neuroscience meeting.
"By studying a species that has responses to early-life stresses that are very similar to young children, we can get a developmental picture that is much clearer than in humans," Judy Cameron, senior scientist at the OHSU Oregon National Primate Research Centre, told the AP.
She noted that these kinds of studies can be difficult to conduct with human children, because they're often exposed to other factors that can influence their behaviour. – (HealthDayNews)
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