Early Life Exposure to Unpredictable Parental Sensory Signals Shapes Cognitive Development Across Three Species

Authors

Elyssia Poggi Davis, University of Denver
Kari McCormack, Spelman College
Hina Arora, University of California, Irvine
Desiree Sharpe, University of Georgia
Annabel K. Short, University of California, Irvine
Jocelyne Bachevalier, Emory University
Laura M. Glynn, Chapman UniversityFollow
Curt A. Sandman, University of California, Irvine
Hal S. Stern, University of California, Irvine
Mar Sanchez, Emory University
Tallie Z. Baram, University of California, Irvine

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-20-2022

Abstract

Exposure to early life adversity has long term consequences on cognitive function. Most research has focused on understanding components of early life adversities that contribute to later risk, including poverty, trauma, maltreatment, and neglect. Whereas these factors, in the aggregate, explain a significant proportion of emotional and cognitive problems, there are serious gaps in our ability to identify potential mechanisms by which early life adversities might promote vulnerability or resilience. Here we discuss early life exposure to unpredictable signals from the caretaker as an understudied type of adversity that is amenable to prevention and intervention. We employ a translational approach to discover underlying neurobiological mechanisms by which early life exposure to unpredictable signals sculpts the developing brain. First, we review evidence that exposure to unpredictable signals from the parent during sensitive periods impacts development of neural circuits. Second, we describe a method for characterizing early life patterns of sensory signals across species. Third, we present published and original data illustrating that patterns of maternal care predict memory function in humans, non-human primates, and rodents. Finally, implications are discussed for identifying individuals at risk so that early preventive-intervention can be provided.

Comments

This article was originally published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, volume 16, in 2022. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2022

Recommended Citation

Davis, E. P., McCormack, K., Arora, H., Sharpe, D., Short, A. K., Bachevalier, J., Glynn, L. M., Sandman, C. A., Stern, H. S., Sanchez, M., & Baram, T. Z. (2022). Early life exposure to unpredictable parental sensory signals shapes cognitive development across three species. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 16, 960262. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2022

Copyright

The authors

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.