Adversity in Childhood -Chervenak

Question 1

What was the ACE study? What did this indicate?

Answer 1

-ACE=adverse childhood experiences

–> strongly correlated to numerous health and social problems (ischemic heart disease, cancer, lung disease, liver disease, obesity)

Question 2

What types of things are high ACE scores linked to?

Answer 2

• higher inflammatory markers
• chronic depression
• suicide attempts
• Inc # of antidepressants
• hallucinations
• impaired childhood memory
• smoking as an adult
• adult alcoholism
• IVDA
• > 50 sexual partners
• hx of STD
• perpetuating domestic violence
• liver disease
• COPD
• UNexplained symptoms

Question 3

What is the physiological response to chronic stress?

Answer 3

-defects in negative feedback –> sustained elevation in stress hormones –> longterm pathological changes

Question 4

What did the study of “good” rat mothers vs “bad” rat mothers show?

Answer 4

• mothers that didn’t lick her pups enough –> pups DNA were highly methylated in bonding areas –> high cortisone, high anxiety and low LG
• babies need to be licked
• this is the same for kids that experienced ACEs–> more methylation

Question 5

What are the indicators for resilience?

Answer 5

• social and emotional support
• feeling fortunate in life
• hope

Question 6

What are the 3 core protective systems that guide positive adaptation and promote resiliency?

Answer 6

• community, faith and cultural processes
• attachment and belonging with caring and competent people
• individual capabilites

Question 7

What are the 3 core protective systems that guide positive adaptation and promote resiliency?

Answer 7

• community, faith and cultural processes
• attachment and belonging with caring and competent people
• individual capabilities

Question 8

What effect do ACEs have on neurodevelopment and brain structure and function?

Answer 8

• ACEs disrupt neurodevelopment

- long lasting effects on brain structure and function