Individuals who were abused as children may be more likely to experience psychological disorders for which they may require therapy from rehab facilities, according to a new study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.

Earlier research has shown that elevated brain levels of inflammation-causing particles, such as cytokine and other proteins, may increase the risk of a range of mental health problems.

For the current study, researchers from Brown University found that adults who were abused as children had significantly higher levels of these damaging particles in their brains, which may increase their risk of developing depression and anxiety disorders.

"Models have given us some signals about how the functioning of an organism's stress response system can run amok for the rest of its life as a result of some of the earliest environment exposures - adverse ones in particular," said Linda Carpenter, who led the investigation.

She added that the research into how proteins can affect brain health is still new, and would not recommend using it as a biomarker for risk of mental disorders. However, the findings of the study may help scientists develop tests and treatments for the conditions in the near future.