The third virtual event of the Neuroscience and (your) Behavior series featured a discussion on how adverse childhood experiences affect the structure and function of the brain and how community treatment movements can mitigate these effects. The event was led by Nancy Michael, Neuroscience and Behavior Associate Teaching Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, with special guests Martin Teicher, Director of the Developmental Biopsychiatry Research Program at Harvard/McLean Hospital, and Kimberly Green Reeves, Director of the Beacon Community Impact Team. The speakers shared how their patient-focused research and outreach helps the healthcare community better understand and treat the impacts of childhood trauma.
First, Teicher explained his pioneering discoveries in the field of childhood adversity and brain development. As a physician-scientist in the 1980s, he realized that stress altered not only individualsâ mental states but also the physical structure of their brains. Specifically, his research showed that various types of abuse changed different aspects of the brainâs biology. Teicher highlighted how these adaptations can help children shelter themselves from adverse experiences in their childhood, but they lead to long-term health consequences later on. His new model for brain function merged biological and psychoanalytic approaches to neuroscience. Michael emphasized that this trailblazing research not only led to a more holistic understanding of brain development but also illuminated better ways to treat the effects of adverse childhood experiences.
Next, Kimberly Green Reeves demonstrated how her work with Beacon Health System puts Teicherâs findings into practice, turning his clinical research into a movement for trauma informed care. Reeves shared that in 2012, Beacon completed their first Community Health Needs Assessment, which allowed them to monitor data on patient wellbeing and shift their practices accordingly. However, Reeves stressed that Beacon must see itself as a collaborator in the process to mitigate the neurobiological effects of adverse childhood experiences, learning from those who have suffered traumas as well as helping them heal. Beacon has launched a number of programs to support families experiencing trauma as well as prevent adverse childhood experiences from occurring in the first place. Teicher added that such measures are the best way to treat the physical and mental consequences of stress in communities over the long term.
During their discussion, Teicher, Reeves, and Michael illustrated the link between research and treatment in the field of neuroscience, as patient data can help scientists, physicians, and healthcare workers better avert and alleviate the effects of childhood trauma. This use of neuroscience does not only increase knowledge of the human brain, but it also leads to positive, intergenerational change in peopleâs lives.
While it might sound strange at first, a child’s developing brain has certain expectations from its environment. Consistent and responsive care are important for a healthy child and later a healthy adult. Through responsive, consistent care, older humans become powerful protective factors to buffer the stresses of daily life for our younger citizens. The fields of neuroscience, epigenetics, adversity, and resilience teach us that “stress-dose” during early development can have tremendous impact on brain development, behavior and even life-long health. Delve into how brain development is bedrock to healthy communities. What can we all do differently to improve our overall health and the health of our communities and protect our most vulnerable?
While it might sound strange at first, a child’s developing brain has certain expectations from its environment. Consistent and responsive care are important for a healthy child and later a healthy adult. Through responsive, consistent care, older humans become powerful protective factors to buffer the stresses of daily life for our younger citizens. The fields of neuroscience, epigenetics, adversity, and resilience teach us that “stress-dose” during early development can have tremendous impact on brain development, behavior and even life-long health. Delve into how brain development is bedrock to healthy communities. What can we all do differently to improve our overall health and the health of our communities and protect our most vulnerable?
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