INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT ON DEVELOPMENT OF ANXIETY & AFFECTIVE DISORDERS

抑郁和焦虑对数以百万计的人造成不利影响， 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。这个 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倾向 对于制定预防疾病的临床策略至关重要 这些破坏性的疾病。为此，我们使用了一只猴子 模型，以研究早期发展中的社会压力是如何触发的 焦虑和抑郁行为以及社会支持如何调节 这些行为的发展。日本猕猴的幼崽正在被 在生命早期对性情和生长激素进行测试 响应性。临床研究表明，抑制作用与 性情和迟钝的生长激素反应，以及焦虑和 抑郁症。幼年的猴子S随后与他们的 母亲和养育在正常的社会群体环境中。行为 研究正在被用来确定婴儿是否获得了更多 社会支持降低了患焦虑和抑郁的几率 抑郁行为，与接受较少社交活动的婴儿相比 支持。资金中心支持的项目出版物无

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