Early life stress (ELS), which encompasses childhood abuse and neglect, is distressingly prevalent and affects as many as 1 in 7 children yearly. ELS is a major risk factor for the development of psychiatric disorders in adulthood, including major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and various substance use disorders. Moreover, it profoundly affects the brain structure and function of those exposed. Interestingly, human imaging studies have identified different structural and functional changes in the brains of those exposed to neglect compared to trauma.

Given the differing neurobiological bases of trauma and neglect, it is critical to develop models that represent multiple forms of ELS. In this Methods Collection, we aim to provide a visual description of rodent models of neglect or trauma to facilitate their use and increase the reproducibility of these models across laboratories studying ELS. Our efforts aim to contribute significantly to the advancement of ELS research and the understanding of its implications on mental health and brain function.