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Chapter 12 - Theneurobiology of child neglect

from Section 2 - Biological approaches to early life trauma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 May 2011

By
Michael D. De Bellis
Edited by
Ruth A. Lanius ,
Eric Vermetten  and
Clare Pain
Ruth A. Lanius
Affiliation:
University of Western Ontario
Eric Vermetten
Affiliation:
Universiteit Utrecht, The Netherlands
Clare Pain
Affiliation:
University of Toronto
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Summary

Child neglect is the most chronic and prevalent form of child maltreatment. This chapter discusses the definitions, preclinical studies of maternal deprivation, the field of developmental traumatology, studies of neglected children and future directions. Child neglect may be more detrimental to the child's developing biological stress systems and brain than adversity experienced in adulthood, secondary to interactions between this lack of experience of expected environmental stimulation and brain maturation. Multiple neurotransmitter systems and neuroendocrine axes are activated during stress. The study of the effects of child neglect and childhood brain development is only in its infancy. Longitudinal investigations are a promising strategy to further understanding of the neurobiology of neglect and to help to identify the best predictors for the permanence and the therapeutic reversibility of the adverse effects associated with child neglect.

Keywords

child's parentchildhood emotional supportchildhood traumapsychotherapychildrearingphysical abuse
Type
Chapter
Information
The Impact of Early Life Trauma on Health and Disease
The Hidden Epidemic
 , pp. 123 - 132
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2010

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