Trauma and the Developing Brain
Childhood trauma does horrendous things to a child’s mind, body, and psyche. Why? What does it change in the developing brain, and how? This article shall explore neurotransmitters and how they affect the different brain regions of a child and how these effects can be felt into adulthood. We shall also examine other factors that can lead to a child developing a mental health disorder that persists into adulthood.
What are Neurotransmitters?
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that carry signals between brain cells (neurons) and other cells throughout the body. These chemicals affect a wide range of both physical and psychological functions and keep our brains and bodies functioning. Neurotransmitters are vital to controlling everything from our heartbeat to our ability to learn properly.
For neurons to send messages to the body, they need to communicate with one another, and they do this by using a tiny gap called the synapse. This gap is where the signal from one cell (neuron) is transmitted to another through a process known as neurotransmission.
Neurotransmission involves a neurotransmitter being released from an axon terminal via small sacs full of neurotransmitters called vesicles. These vesicles then traverse the gap between the neurons to be taken up by the receptors on the…
