Victor Carrion
Publication Details
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Can traumatic stress alter the brain? Understanding the implications of early trauma on brain development and learning.
J Adolesc Health. 2012; (2 Suppl): S23-8
Youth who experience traumatic stress and develop post-traumatic symptoms secrete higher levels of the glucocorticoid cortisol than youth with no trauma history. Animal research suggests that excess corticosterone secretion can lead to neurotoxicity in areas of the brain rich in glucocorticoid receptors such as the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex (PFC). These two areas of the brain are involved in memory processing and executive function, both critical functions of learning.
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