Article 2c: A review of nonhuman primate models of early life stress and adolescent drug abuse (Wakeford et al., 2018)

Question 1

Mechanism of the influence of ELS on drug use and psychopathology

Answer 1

Adolescence is a developmental period in which initiation of drugs typically occurs, and neurobiological changes in the brain also occur. Perturbations (verstoringen) of the critical developmental period can lead to alteration in the brain that are critical for stress, emotion regulation and reward processing. The occurrence of early life stress can then cause vulnerability for development of SUD.

Question 2

ELS can alter neurobiological systems that regulate:

Answer 2

• Stress: heightened activity of the HPA axis.
• Emotion regulation: dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala causes problems with emotional reactivity and controlling impulses.
• Reward processing: dysfunctioning of dopamine systems.

These alterations in the brain can increase the susceptibility to SUD.

Question 3

Research about self-administration of drugs in monkeys

Answer 3

• Monkeys with a history of maltreatment acquired self-administration more quickly.
• Non-maltreated monkey showed lower acquisition rates.

Early life stress (maltreatment) may enforce sensitivity to cocaine’s reinforcing effects (mostly in males).