Early-life experiences, whether detrimental or enriching, have been shown to induce permanent changes later in life including metabolic, brain functioning, and behavior. Despite its importance, the mechanism by which early-life external factors integrate with internal ones is not fully understood, thus leading to contradictory findings. For instance, early-life stress has been associated with either increased vulnerability or resilience to anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders. Similarly, although social experiences during infancy can influence social behaviors in adults, there is an interplay between this factor and other genetic and/or environmental influences.
The goal of this research topic is to discuss different animal models in which to assess these gene-environment interactions at behavioral, cellular, and molecular levels and to emphasize the impact of crucial variables not classically covered in this field, including sex, genetic and social background, and internal state, among others. Additionally, it is important to evaluate their translational value in health and disease.
This research topic intends to cover review articles and original research investigations using different animal models (e.g., fruit flies, zebrafish, rodents, and others) to uncover the molecular, anatomical, and behavioral basis by which early-life interventions influence adulthood, both in physiological and pathological conditions. Of particular interest are the studies covering social, stress- and anxiety-like responses and diets/microbiomes/gut functions as contributors to early life stress.
Early-life experiences, whether detrimental or enriching, have been shown to induce permanent changes later in life including metabolic, brain functioning, and behavior. Despite its importance, the mechanism by which early-life external factors integrate with internal ones is not fully understood, thus leading to contradictory findings. For instance, early-life stress has been associated with either increased vulnerability or resilience to anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders. Similarly, although social experiences during infancy can influence social behaviors in adults, there is an interplay between this factor and other genetic and/or environmental influences.
The goal of this research topic is to discuss different animal models in which to assess these gene-environment interactions at behavioral, cellular, and molecular levels and to emphasize the impact of crucial variables not classically covered in this field, including sex, genetic and social background, and internal state, among others. Additionally, it is important to evaluate their translational value in health and disease.
This research topic intends to cover review articles and original research investigations using different animal models (e.g., fruit flies, zebrafish, rodents, and others) to uncover the molecular, anatomical, and behavioral basis by which early-life interventions influence adulthood, both in physiological and pathological conditions. Of particular interest are the studies covering social, stress- and anxiety-like responses and diets/microbiomes/gut functions as contributors to early life stress.
