Cortical volume alteration in the superior parietal region mediates the relationship between childhood abuse and PTSD avoidance symptoms: A complementary multimodal neuroimaging study
Richard Okyere Nkrumah , Claudius von Schröder , Traute Demirakca , Christian Schmahl , Gabriele Ende
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Adverse childhood experiences (ACE), which can be separated into abuse and neglect, contribute to the development of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). However, which brain structures are mainly affected by ACE as well as the mediating role these brain structures play in ACE and PTSS relationship are still being investigated. The current study tested the effect of ACE on brain structure and investigated the latter's mediating role in ACE-PTSS relationship.
Methods
A total of 78 adults with self-reported ACE were included in this study. Participants completed the childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ) and a Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) to ascertain ACE history and PTSS, respectively. T1w images and diffusion MRI scans were then acquired to assess cortical morphometry and white matter (WM) integrity in fibre tracts connecting key areas where ACE-related cortical volume alterations were observed.
Results
The combined effect of ACE was negatively associated with total grey matter volume and local cortical area in the right superior parietal region (rSP). Childhood abuse was negatively related to right superior parietal volume after controlling for neglect and overall psychological burden. The right superior parietal volume significantly mediated the relationship between childhood abuse and avoidance-related PTSS. Post-hoc analyses showed that the indirect relation was subsequently moderated by dissociative symptoms. Lastly, a complementary examination of the WM tracts connected to abuse-associated cortical GM regions shows that abuse was negatively related to the normalised fibre density of WM tracts connected to the right superior parietal region.
Conclusion
We provide multimodal structural evidence that ACE in the first years of life is related to alterations in the right superior brain region, which plays a crucial role in spatial processing and attentional functioning. Additionally, we highlight that the cortical volume alteration in this region may play a role in explaining the relationship between childhood abuse and avoidance symptoms.
期刊介绍:
Neurobiology of Stress is a multidisciplinary journal for the publication of original research and review articles on basic, translational and clinical research into stress and related disorders. It will focus on the impact of stress on the brain from cellular to behavioral functions and stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders (such as depression, trauma and anxiety). The translation of basic research findings into real-world applications will be a key aim of the journal.
Basic, translational and clinical research on the following topics as they relate to stress will be covered:
Molecular substrates and cell signaling,
Genetics and epigenetics,
Stress circuitry,
Structural and physiological plasticity,
Developmental Aspects,
Laboratory models of stress,
Neuroinflammation and pathology,
Memory and Cognition,
Motivational Processes,
Fear and Anxiety,
Stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders (including depression, PTSD, substance abuse),
Neuropsychopharmacology.