Maternal Separation Followed by Chronic Mild Stress in Adulthood Is Associated with Concerted Epigenetic Regulation of AP-1 Complex Genes

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental diseases worldwide. Patients with psychiatric diseases often have a history of childhood neglect, indicating that early-life experiences predispose to psychiatric diseases in adulthood. Two strong models were used in the present study: the maternal separation/early deprivation model (MS) and the chronic mild stress model (CMS). In both models, we found changes in the expression of a number of genes such as Creb and Npy. Strikingly, there was a clear regulation of expression of four genes involved in the AP-1 complex: c-Fos, c-Jun, FosB, and Jun-B. Interestingly, different expression levels were observed depending on the model, whereas the combination of the models resulted in a normal level of gene expression. The effects of MS and CMS on gene expression were associated with distinct histone methylation/acetylation patterns of all four genes. The epigenetic changes, like gene expression, were also dependent on the specific stressor or their combination. The obtained results suggest that single life events leave a mark on gene expression and the epigenetic signature of gene promoters, but a combination of different stressors at different life stages can further change gene expression through epigenetic factors, possibly causing the long-lasting adverse effects of stress.

Analysis of caregiver-child interaction when transferring children from a baby home to post-institutional families

The article presents a study of characteristics of the interaction of children with the experience of institutionalization and caregivers both at the departure from a baby home and at different stages of living in post-institutional families, as well as their comparison with characteristics of interaction of parents and children in biological families. Previous studies have shown that the quality of interaction with a caregiver is one of the factors that mitigate the effects of early deprivation. To assess the quality of interaction, the PCERA method was used, based on the analysis of video recordings of a child and his caregiver during free play. A total of 31 cases of interaction between caregivers and children with the experience of institutionalization (IE; average age 29.3 ± 22.9 months) and 51 cases of interaction in biological families (BF; 38.8 ± 17.5 months) were analyzed. It was found that during the transition from a baby home to a post-institutional family, the quality of caregiver-child interaction remains at a relatively low level. In the first 24 months of a child’s residence in a family, foster parents have a lower level of sensitivity, mirroring and involvement in interaction with a child, more unpredictable behavior and negative emotions than parents in BF. After 24 months in a post-institutional family, children show a decrease in emotional stability and compliance and an increase in negative affect, in comparison with the assessment at the departure from an institution and in relation to their peers from a BF. At the same time, the overall total and some child’s indicators improve with increasing age of children in both the IE and BF groups. The results obtained underline the need to create psychological follow-up programs for post-institutional families aimed at supporting the development of interaction and the formation of attachment at the earliest stages after the child is transitioned to a post-institutional family.

Early deprivation is linked to long-term social communication difficulties

Maltreatment affects a staggering 1 billion children worldwide. Most of these maltreated children, but particularly those raised in institutions that are characterized by deprivation, experience some form of neglect. These children seem to be at risk of developing social, cognitive and psychiatric difficulties later in life.

Early caregiving quality predicts consistency of competent functioning from middle childhood to adolescence following early psychosocial deprivation

Adverse developmental outcomes for some children following institutional care are well established. Removal from institutional care and placement into families can promote recovery. However, little is known about how positive outcomes are sustained across adolescence among children with histories of severe deprivation. The present study examined the caregiving conditions that are associated with attaining and maintaining competent functioning (i.e., outcomes within typical levels) from middle childhood to adolescence following exposure to early institutional care. The participants included children with and without a history of institutional care who had competence assessed at ages 8, 12, and 16 years across seven domains: family relationships, peer relationships, academic performance, physical health, mental health, substance use (ages 12 and 16 years only), and risk-taking behavior. The participants were grouped based on whether they were always versus not always competent and never versus ever competent at ages 8 through 16 years. Adolescents with a history of institutional care were less likely to be consistently competent than those who were family reared. Among those who were exposed to early institutional rearing, maintaining competent functioning from 8 to 16 years was associated with spending less time in institutions and receiving higher-quality caregiving early in life. Ensuring high quality early caregiving may promote competent functioning following early deprivation.

Resting-State EEG Spectral Power in Children with Experience of Early Deprivation

Children left without parental care and placed in institutional settings represent a particularly vulnerable group. In the absence of sufficient social interaction, children with experience of early deprivation demonstrate neural, social, and emotional deficits. In the present study, we use electroencephalographic (EEG) techniques to examine the functioning of the central nervous system in a sample of children living in institutions in a large city in Russia. The study involved 11 children with experience of institutional care and 11 matched children from biological families. Participants with experience of early deprivation demonstrated a decrease of spectral power in the theta and alpha bands compared to the comparison group. The decrease of spectral power in the delta, theta and alpha bands, which are closely related to cognitive and emotional processes, may reflect brain developmental patterns associated with early deprivation.

Early Deprivation Revisited: Contemporary Studies of the Impact on Young Children of Institutional Care

There is clear evidence that early deprivation in the form of early institutional care affects children both immediately and long after they are removed from the institution. This article reviews the modern literature on the impact of institutional care from animal models to longitudinal studies in humans. Importantly, we examine the current understanding of neuroendocrine regulation in the context of early deprivation. We discuss the opportunities and limitations of studying the effects of deprivation in previously institutionalized children, review behavioral findings and related neurobiological studies, and address the physical health ramifications of institutional care. Finally, we touch on future directions for both science and intervention.