Kids with depressed moms tend to have enlarged amygdala
Women who suffer from depression may want to buy Effexor to alleviate their symptoms, since the condition strongly affects their children.
Women who suffer from depression may want to buy Effexor to alleviate their symptoms, since the condition strongly affects their children. According to a paper published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 10-year-olds who had depressed mothers experienced changes in the amygdala, the region of the brain that is associated with emotional responses.
Lead authors Sophie Parent and Jean Seguin from the University of Montreal reported that past studies have shown that moms with the illness were less sensitive to their children's needs. Additionally, these women tended to be more withdrawn and disengaged from their families.
The researchers suggested that an enlargement in the amygdala could confer more protection for kids who have been poorly cared for, thereby increasing their chances of surviving. The team said that the long-term consequences of this higher reactivity to stress are unclear at the moment.
"This strongly suggests that the brain may be highly responsive to the environment during early development and confirms the importance of early intervention to help children facing adversity," the scientists said. "Initiatives such as prenatal and infancy nurse home visits and enriched day care environments could mitigate the effects of parental care on the developing brain."
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