Research indicates some early life stresses can have a profound impact, resulting in changes in brain function and behavior, and even differences in the ways some genes express their particular genetic code signature. At various times during early development, different neural systems appear to have an increased sensitivity to stress and can influence long-term social behavior in a number of ways. A stable, nurturing environment is an important element in normalizing the development of a child experiencing stress. [The interviewer for this report was Dean Stahl.]