adingo8urbaby t1_iugwlny wrote on October 31, 2022 at 6:22 AM

Getting some dismissive comments in here so let’s talk about the facts.

“Tang’s research is unique for its characterization of the subjects’ early temperamental risks and the protracted length of time they were studied.”
This is a combination of behavioral and brain imaging readouts showing a correlation between childhood (as early as 1 year old) behaviors coupled with brain imaging characteristics and anxiety and/or depression in young adults.

Seems to be pretty interesting. I’m focused more on immunology but I think approaches like this will hopefully help us find markers to allow for early identification of risk factors and maybe even interventions to prevent serious anxiety/ depression in adults.

BizarroAzzarro t1_iuib4nq wrote on October 31, 2022 at 3:28 PM

Out of curiosity, what kind of early interventions could work on temperamental makeup of a kid? Seems like they originate in nature and not nurture (or so I presume, I may be wrong)?

adingo8urbaby t1_iuifyan wrote on October 31, 2022 at 4:01 PM

Great question and I have no idea what the answer is. But I can speculate. I suspect in most things that there are elements of both nature and nurture. Interventions would probably be age determined by a combination of talk therapy and pharmaceuticals as is almost always the case in anxiety and depression.

PabloBablo t1_iuiv0ud wrote on October 31, 2022 at 5:41 PM

Kids who are in a high stress environment (arguing parents, lack of attention/love) should first look at resolving those issues rather than therapy or antidepressants. The treatment can help, but if the home environment doesn't change the answer shouldn't be get them on more meds and therapy.

We are starting to understand more about how early environment can impact brain development and have lasting results. Parents play a major part in that. It's a far cry from the idea that early years have no lasting memories and therefore no impact on future development. Stressful/loud/ scary environments with no escape is tantamount to horror.

The science may be supporting this idea but society is not as aware of it yet.

adingo8urbaby t1_iuiwjpf wrote on October 31, 2022 at 5:51 PM

Agreed, all the more reason for more research but as you’ve implied, also more psychological support for whole families. Maybe another form of early intervention based on bio markers is subsidized family therapy. I think we are still a long way from that kind of society though.