# How early environment influences the developing brain and long‐term mental health

## TL;DR

This paper explores how early life environments affect brain development and long-term mental health in children and young adults.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into how adverse childhood environments may increase mental health risks through brain development differences.

## Key findings

- Adverse environments in childhood are linked to increased risk for depression and mental health problems.
- Individual brain differences may mediate or moderate the effects of early environmental risks on mental health.
- The findings highlight the importance of early intervention to mitigate mental health risks.

## Abstract

The March 2024 issue of JCPP Advances features two neuroimaging studies that investigate links between early environmental risk factors for mental health problems, brain development and psychopathology in children and young adults. The papers provide new insights into how adverse environments and negative experiences in childhood increase risk for depression and mental health problems, and how this may or may not be mediated, or moderated, by individual differences in the brain.