A study published in the journal Current Biology suggests that exposure to domestic violence during childhood can lead to altered brain function. The study is the first to use functional brain imaging techniques to examine the progression of emotional functioning in children exposed to physical abuse or domestic violence. Professor McCrory, from the University of London, said, “Children exposed to risky environments over a short period of time have increased reactivity to threatening stimuli, however this then becomes a biological risk factor for increased susceptibility to future mental health problems, particularly anxiety.” Abuse is an important environmental risk factor for the development of anxiety and depression, and Professor McCrory noted that abused children process facial expressions of anger or sadness differently. In anger facial expression processing, the anterior insula and amygdala activity is increased in abused children, regions associated with the recognition of threatening stimuli and anticipatory pain.