My earlier post got deleted, I guess because I forgot to sign in, although I did claim the post shortly after.
What it said was that several scientific studies have shown that abuse and neglect in childhood can have damaging effects on the structure and chemistry of the developing brain.
"Several studies now document that abuse damages key brain structures such as the cortex, which is associated with rational thinking, and the hippocampus, which helps process memories and emotions. Both brain regions are critical for learning."