Epidemiologic studies indicate that children exposed to early adverse experiences are at
increased risk for the development of depression, anxiety disorders, or both. Persistent
sensitization of central nervous system (CNS) circuits as a consequence of early life stress,
which are integrally involved in the regulation of stress and emotion, may represent the
underlying biological substrate of an increased vulnerability to subsequent stress as well as
to the development of depression and anxiety. A number of preclinical studies suggest that …