Several recently published studies have suggested that chronic stress in early life may affect the brain’s reaction to certain stimuli, causing changes in the fear response.  These changes have been associated with the development of phobias and anxiety disorders, and therefore it is hoped that by furthering our understanding of this process, clinical treatments may become more efficient and effective. This research is evaluated in a timely and comprehensive review published in Biology of Mood & Anxiety Disorders today.

Callaghan and Richardson address this important phenomenon investigating these effects in rat models and evaluating recent contributions to the literature on this subject. This translational research can be used to further understanding of the development and treatment of these disorders in humans. This review represents the first article to be published in a new thematic series on the developmental basis of mood and anxiety disorders.

This series is guest edited by Nim Tottenham, who is a leading expert in the field of developmental affective neuroscience. The series is accepting further submissions and welcomes research and reviews on developmental studies in mood and anxiety disorders, including human fMRI studies and animal models related to mood and anxiety disorders.

If you would like to submit a manuscript, please do so via our online submission system clearly stating in your covering letter that your submission is intended for the ‘Developmental Basis of Mood and Anxiety Disorders’ thematic series.

For more information about the journal, visit its About page, contact editorial@biolmoodanxietydisord.com or read our instructions for authors.