Children’s brains ‘damaged by stress’

Severe stress can damage children’s brains, researchers said today.

Children with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were found to have high levels of the stress hormone cortisol as well as a decrease in the size of the hippocampus ? the part of the brain which aids memory processing and emotion.

The research, conducted by scientists at Stanford University and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, is the first to show these effects in humans.

Writing in the journal Pediatrics, the researchers argue that PTSD works in a vicious cycle; changes to the brain from stress then interfere with psychiatric therapy and prolong symptoms.

For example the scientists claim that the children are “at [a] higher risk of developing depression and/or anxiety as adults” and their ability to reach emotional, social and academic milestones is impaired.

In the study, 15 children aged between seven and 13 were studied who had PTSD as a result of undergoing physical, emotional or sexual abuse, witnessing violence or experiencing lasting separation and loss.

The research team found that children with more severe PTSD and higher cortisol levels at the start of the study were more likely to have reductions in the size of their hippocampus then those in the study who were less traumatised.

Further studies will now be carried out which will capture images of how the children’s brains differ as they perform emotional and cognitive tasks.

“What we have now is basically a snapshot,” said researcher Dr Victor Carrion. “We can’t yet say much about function. But we know that PTSD is chronic and pervasive. Hopefully with further research we can develop more effective, targeted interventions to help these kids.”