Development and Social Regulation of Stress Neurobiology in Human Development: Implications for the Study of Traumatic Memories

This chapter explores the impact of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis activity and glucocorticoids on memory processes while emphasizing the importance of developmental processes and characteristics of HPA axis functioning in childhood. It begins with a brief overview of human HPA axis anatomy and physiology and a discussion of regulation of glucocorticoid production and glucocorticoid receptor activity. It then presents animal and human research regarding the impact of glucocorticoids on learning, memory consolidation, and memory retrieval as a foundation for understanding the effects of stress on memory processes. Developmental changes in HPA axis activity and the social regulation of children's developing HPA axis functioning by caregivers are discussed as central factors to consider in the study of stress neurobiology and memory in children. Finally, implications of the developmental timing and social context of stressors in childhood on memory processes are presented.