Grant: Project Grant

Epidemiological data shows that the majority of mental illnesses have their onset in early life, and point toward early life stress as a major predictor of mental illness later in life. Early life is also marked by the maturation of select brain circuits which are implicated in mental illness and are particularly sensitive to stress. Yet, despite converging evidence pointing to a role of circuit maturation on the link between early life stress and mental disorders in early life, very little is known about how these circuits are formed across development and how this maturation is affected by stress. Here we will explore how the maturation of sensitive circuits informs mental function and stress sensitivity. Elucidating the mechanisms by which early life stress impairs mental function will guide the design of more efficient treatments, significantly reducing mental health care costs and improving the quality of life of millions of Canadians struggling with mental illness.