Abstract

The brain is a very perceptive, absorbent part of the human body, and childhood is an important time for growth. In childhood, the brain is constantly watching and evaluating every situation to improve itself and its functioning. The time when the brain is most plastic is referred to as the sensitive period, and when this period has passed, the brain becomes much more difficult to change (Downar & Eagleman, 2023). How an adult responds and reacts to the child is instilling key components in the brain that will later affect the child’s emotional and physical wellbeing. Childhood trauma, including physical/emotional abuse and neglect, has many adverse effects on the brain, especially in areas such as the hippocampus, amygdala,, and prefrontal cortex. Damage to these areas of the brain could result in deficits to memory, emotional regulation, and decision making. Analyzing the connections between childhood trauma and the effects on typical brain development can aid research in determining healthy interventions to reverse and improve the functioning of the impaired brain.

Document Type

Paper

Publication Date

2026

Rights

© The Author(s)

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