This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. Primary support for the subproject and the subproject's principal investigator may have been provided by other sources, including other NIH sources. The Total Cost listed for the subproject likely represents the estimated amount of Center infrastructure utilized by the subproject, not direct funding provided by the NCRR grant to the subproject or subproject staff. Stress has been shown to alter the development of neural systems involved in learning (particularly contextual, cued, and extinction learning) and cognitive control. Emerging evidence in the human and mouse suggests that stressful experiences result in region-specific alterations in BDNF levels. The overarching goal of this project is to test the hypothesis that the Val66Met polymorphism in the BDNF gene will moderate the effects of early life stress (in the form of institutional/orphanage rearing) on the structure and function of the hippocampus, amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (including orbital prefrontal cortex). Participants will be 12-14 year old children adopted internationally between the ages of 4 months and 5 years after having lived for 75% or more of their pre-adoption lives in institutions (hospitals, orphanage). We will test the hypothesis that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism will moderate the impact of early life stress (dose/duration of institutional care) on structure and function of these regions. We will also examine whether these effects are diminished with time in the adoptive home. This project is part of an NIMH Center grant that includes additional projects addressing the impact of BDNF genotype on learning and cognitive control in typical development from 8-18 years of age (Sackler Institute, New York) and a knock-in gene model of the Val66Met polymorphism in the mouse, including early postnatal stress and behavioral measures of mouse learning.
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