INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT ON DEVELOPMENT OF ANXIETY & AFFECTIVE DISORDERS

抑郁症和焦虑症对数百万人产生不利影响， 导致显著的死亡率和发病率。 临床研究超过 几十年来的研究表明，这些行为障碍源于 既有遗传因素，也有环境因素。 的 这些疾病的遗传易感性之间的相互关系， 以及环境和社会因素如何改变遗传易感性 对于临床策略的发展至关重要， 这些毁灭性的疾病。 为此，我们使用了一只猴子 模型，以研究早期发展过程中的社会压力如何触发 焦虑和抑郁行为以及社会支持如何调节 这些行为的发展。 日本猕猴幼崽 在生命的早期测试了气质和生长激素 响应能力。 临床研究表明，抑制 气质和迟钝的生长激素反应，以及焦虑和 抑郁症 幼猴与它们的 在正常的社会群体环境中长大。 行为 研究正在被用来确定是否婴儿谁收到更多的 社会支持降低了发展焦虑和 抑郁行为，与接受较少社交活动的婴儿相比， 支持. 资助中心支持的项目

Depression and anxiety adversely affect millions of individuals, causing significant mortality and morbidity. Clinical studies over several decades suggest that these behavioral disorders emanate from both genetic factors and exposure to environmental factors. The interrelationships between genetic predisposition to these disorders, and how environmental and social factors modify genetic predisposition is critical to the development of clinical strategies for preventing these devastating disorders. For this purpose we are using a monkey model, to examine how social stress during early development triggers anxious and depressive behaviors and how social support modulates the development of these behaviors. Infant Japanese macaques are being tested early in life for temperament and growth hormone responsiveness. Clinical studies show a correlation between inhibited temperament and blunted GH responsiveness, and the anxiety and depressive disorders. Infant monkey s ar e then separated from their mothers and reared in a normal social colony environment. Behavioral studies are being used to determine if infants who receive greater social support have a decreased probability of developing anxious and depressive behaviors, compared to infants who receive less social support. FUNDING Center-supported project PUBLICATIONS None