From the past to the future: The influence of early social deprivation on learning and behavioral development through programming

Abstract

Early life is a critical period for healthy development in mammals, during which social contact plays a central role, being crucial for acquiring adaptive skills. Conversely, adverse experiences such as maternal deprivation and social isolation can produce long-lasting and potentially irreversible effects on cognitive and socioemotional abilities. This study investigated the impact of early social deprivation during childhood and adolescence on learning, language, and social skills, and is divided into two parts: a systematic review of rodent models and a narrative review of clinical studies in humans. In phase one, 12,378 articles were identified, of which 55 were included by the eligibility criteria. The findings indicate that maternal deprivation in rodents impairs spatial learning, discrimination, and prosocial behaviors, while increasing anxiety-like behavior and aggression. These effects are exacerbated when deprivation involves complete social isolation from littermates and may persist across generations. In phase two, clinical studies confirm that early social deprivation compromises cognitive development and causes delays in language acquisition and disrupts social functioning. Protective factors, such as stable caregiving and later social reintegration, appear to mitigate some of these outcomes. The findings underscore the profound impact of early social deprivation on brain development and behavior, highlighting the need for preventive and rehabilitative interventions.