B3237 - Childhood adversity HPA-axis function and the vulnerability or resilience to stress-related psychopathology - 15/01/2019

B number: 
B3237
Principal applicant name: 
Tarani Chandola | University of Manchester/ University College London (Greater Manchester)
Co-applicants: 
Ms Stephanie Cahill, Ms Eleonora Iob
Title of project: 
Childhood adversity, HPA-axis function, and the vulnerability or resilience to stress-related psychopathology
Proposal summary: 

One of the best replicated findings in developmental research, psychology and epidemiology is that exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) predicts poorer outcomes across health and social domains. To date, the pathways underlying these relationships remain unclear. It has been proposed that exposure to ACEs may affect the development of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA)-axis and lead to related vulnerability to stress-related mental health problems over the life course. Interestingly, despite the high prevalence of ACEs, some individuals do not develop stress-related dysfunctions. By better understanding the underlying mechanisms by which children exposed to adversities show later resilience, there may be opportunities to learn more about ways of intervening and preventing adverse outcomes. Overall this project aims to provide a comprehensive examination of the biopsychosocial pathways through which exposure to ACEs may affect the development of the HPA-axis, and resilience or vulnerability to stress-related psychopathology (depression/anxiety) over the life course, considering complex interplay between genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors.

Impact of research: 
Academic Impact: This research will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the aetiology of stress-related mental disorders. Additionally, it will bring about important methodological innovations owing to the use of advanced statistical methods to measure adversity clusters and the integration of sophisticated assessments of biological and genetic factors. Clinical impact: The results of this project will also have the potential to inform clinical interventions for the prevention, detection and treatment of ACEs and mental illness. These may include: psychosocial interventions to manage the negative effects of childhood adversity and reduce stress levels; pharmacological therapies to ameliorate psychiatric symptoms; and genetic testing to identify individuals at higher risk early in development and tailor treatment plans. Policy impact: Such understanding of the life course pathways linking early-life stress with mental health will advance the existing evidence base, providing policymakers with reliable and extensive data with which a more streamlined process of policy development might be better manoeuvred. This may see an increase in funding for mental health and social care trusts, improved intervention programmes in schools, and lead to an improvement in the services available for children and families
Date proposal received: 
Thursday, 10 January, 2019
Date proposal approved: 
Tuesday, 15 January, 2019
Keywords: 
Mental health - Psychology, Psychiatry, Cognition, Behaviour - e.g. antisocial behaviour, risk behaviour, etc., Developmental disorders - autism, Mental health, Pregnancy - e.g. reproductive health, postnatal depression, birth outcomes, etc., Gene mapping, GWAS, Statistical methods, Biomarkers - e.g. cotinine, fatty acids, haemoglobin, etc., Birth outcomes, Hormones - cortisol, IGF, thyroid, Immunity, Mothers - maternal age, menopause, obstetrics, Offspring, Parenting, Social science, Statistical methods, Childhood - childcare, childhood adversity, Cognition - cognitive function, Development, Environment - enviromental exposure, pollution, Epigenetics, Genetic epidemiology, Genetics, Genome wide association study