Walker - General Overview of ELA

Question 1

Name 5 types of ELA (abuse)

Answer 1

Emotional abuse
Sexual abuse
Physical abuse
Neglect
Exposition to family violence

Question 2

What are factors that contribute to shape the impact of ELA?

Answer 2

Type
Duration
Developmental timing
Number of adversities
Protective factors (e.g., supportive relationships)
Predisposition
Individual variation

Question 3

True or false: there are maltreatment-sensitivity periods for different brain regions.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Name two brain adaptations known to occur in response to ELA

Answer 4

Reduce hippocampal volume
Increased amygdala volumes

Question 5

What are the two models conceptualizing adversity to outcomes

Answer 5

Cumulative risk model: stress leads to adverse downstream outcomes (allostatic load)
Dimensional model: different adversities modulate learning differently, central place of learning

Question 6

What are the two main arms of the stress response? What are the system nervous parts recruited and the molecules involved?

Answer 6

1. Neuroendocrine (HPA) -> cortex, glucocorticoids
2. Autonomic sympathetic nervous system (ANS) -> medulla, epinephrine and norepinephrine

Question 7

What is the allostatic load?

Answer 7

Wear and tear on the body from stress = physiological consequences from chronic exposure to stress

Question 8

Which arm of stress response is changed from exposure to ELA?

Answer 8

Mostly HPA (epigenetics increasing expression of GR)

Question 9

What two dimensions of adversity does the dimensional model focus on to explain different learning adaptations from exposure to ELA?

Answer 9

Threat
Deprivation

Question 10

Threat is thought to lead to deficits in emotional control or cognitive control? And deprivation?

Answer 10

Threat: emotional control
Deprivation: cognitive control

Question 11

One mechanism of transgenerational transmission of early adversity.

Answer 11

Women experiencing ELA have higher levels of placental corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) -> increased maternal and fetal cortisol concentrations in pregnancy ->delayed cognitive dev. and altered HPA reg.

Intrauterine life should be the focus of interventions