Professor Neumann will explain how early life experiences shape an individual’s emotional, cognitive and social abilities and create vulnerabilities for anxiety and depression. She will also discuss potential stress-protective factors, such as oxytocin, a brain neuropeptide activated by strong social interactions and during the peripartum period in women. As chronic stress effects almost all body functions, the seminar will be of interest to GPs, psychologists, psychiatrists, neurobiologists and others.