Early Life Stress: Hormonal Regulation and Methylation of the Glucocorticoid (NR3C1) Receptor Gene Effects
Advisor Information
Strasser, Rosemary
Location
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
2-3-2018 10:45 AM
End Date
2-3-2018 12:00 PM
Abstract
Early life stress can have myriad of long, problematic, consequences for an individual including cognitive, behavioral and health effects. During prenatal and neonatal development, the biology of the individual is organized and programmed in preparation for the environment they will encounter. While embryonic development begins and is informed by its inherited DNA sequence, the DNA sequence is informed by internal and external factors, which affect DNA expression, which can then have cascading consequences on hormonal regulation. 47 pet dogs from various early life backgrounds participated in behavioral, hormonal and DNA testing. There was a significant effect of the early life environment on the attachment style between owners and their dogs F(1,33) = 11.92, p = .002. Additional findings support the owner’s level of impulsivity is positively correlated with the dog’s cortisol levels r(37) = .34, p = .025and the more disagreeable the owner is the higher the dog’s cortisol levels will be when the dog is separated from its owner, r(34) = -.39,p = .022.
Early Life Stress: Hormonal Regulation and Methylation of the Glucocorticoid (NR3C1) Receptor Gene Effects
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Early life stress can have myriad of long, problematic, consequences for an individual including cognitive, behavioral and health effects. During prenatal and neonatal development, the biology of the individual is organized and programmed in preparation for the environment they will encounter. While embryonic development begins and is informed by its inherited DNA sequence, the DNA sequence is informed by internal and external factors, which affect DNA expression, which can then have cascading consequences on hormonal regulation. 47 pet dogs from various early life backgrounds participated in behavioral, hormonal and DNA testing. There was a significant effect of the early life environment on the attachment style between owners and their dogs F(1,33) = 11.92, p = .002. Additional findings support the owner’s level of impulsivity is positively correlated with the dog’s cortisol levels r(37) = .34, p = .025and the more disagreeable the owner is the higher the dog’s cortisol levels will be when the dog is separated from its owner, r(34) = -.39,p = .022.