Chunk #10 — Neuroendocrine and Neurobiological Consequences of Early-Life Stress — Effects of Early-Life Stress on Stress Circuitry and Mesolimbic Dopamine Reward Pathway
Stress induces activation of the HPA axis and secretion of the glucocorticoid hormone cortisol. Many studies have shown that early-life stress in humans, monkeys, and rodents results in alterations in behavioral and HPA axis responses to stress [9•, 38]. It is noteworthy that a blunted HPA axis stress response has been found in alcoholics as well as nonalcoholics from alcoholic families [39, 40], boys with persistent antisocial behavior [41], and women with high neuroticism, a predictor of psychopathology (including alcoholism) [42]. Thus, a blunted stress response may indicate vulnerability to addiction, perhaps due in part to exposure to early-life stress.
