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Liu Y, Jing Y, Gao Y, Li M, Qin W, Xie Y, Zhang B, Li J. Exploring the correlation between childhood trauma experiences, inflammation, and brain activity in first-episode, drug-naive major depressive disorder. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2024:10.1007/s00406-024-01847-3. [PMID: 39073445 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-024-01847-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood trauma experiences and inflammation are pivotal factors in the onset and perpetuation of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, research on brain mechanisms linking childhood trauma experiences and inflammation to depression remains insufficient and inconclusive. METHODS Resting-state fMRI scans were performed on fifty-six first-episode, drug-naive MDD patients and sixty healthy controls (HCs). A whole-brain functional network was constructed by thresholding 246 brain regions, and connectivity and network properties were calculated. Plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in MDD patients, and childhood trauma experiences were evaluated through the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). RESULTS Negative correlations were observed between CTQ total (r = -0.28, p = 0.047), emotional neglect (r = -0.286, p = 0.042) scores, as well as plasma IL-6 levels (r = -0.294, p = 0.036), with mean decreased functional connectivity (FC) in MDD patients. Additionally, physical abuse exhibited a positive correlation with the nodal clustering coefficient of the left thalamus in patients (r = 0.306, p = 0.029). Exploratory analysis indicated negative correlations between CTQ total and emotional neglect scores and mean decreased FC in MDD patients with lower plasma IL-6 levels (n = 28), while these correlations were nonsignificant in MDD patients with higher plasma IL-6 levels (n = 28). CONCLUSIONS This finding enhances our understanding of the correlation between childhood trauma experiences, inflammation, and brain activity in MDD, suggesting potential variations in their underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liu
- Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, 13 Liulin Rd., Hexi District, Tianjin, 300222, China
| | - Yifan Jing
- Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, 13 Liulin Rd., Hexi District, Tianjin, 300222, China
| | - Ying Gao
- Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, 13 Liulin Rd., Hexi District, Tianjin, 300222, China
| | - Meijuan Li
- Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, 13 Liulin Rd., Hexi District, Tianjin, 300222, China
| | - Wen Qin
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Yingying Xie
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, 13 Liulin Rd., Hexi District, Tianjin, 300222, China
| | - Jie Li
- Institute of Mental Health, Tianjin Anding Hospital, Mental Health Center of Tianjin Medical University, 13 Liulin Rd., Hexi District, Tianjin, 300222, China.
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Bhargava A, Knapp JD, Fiehn O, Neylan TC, Inslicht SS. An exploratory study on lipidomic profiles in a cohort of individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder. Sci Rep 2024; 14:15256. [PMID: 38956202 PMCID: PMC11219863 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62971-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop after trauma exposure. Some studies report that women develop PTSD at twice the rate of men, despite greater trauma exposure in men. Lipids and their metabolites (lipidome) regulate a myriad of key biological processes and pathways such as membrane integrity, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation in the brain by maintaining neuronal connectivity and homeostasis. In this study, we analyzed the lipidome of 40 adults with PTSD and 40 trauma-exposed non-PTSD individuals (n = 20/sex/condition; 19-39 years old). Plasma samples were analyzed for lipidomics using Quadrupole Time-of-Flight (QToF) mass spectrometry. Additionally, ~ 90 measures were collected, on sleep, and mental and physical health indices. Poorer sleep quality was associated with greater PTSD severity in both sexes. The lipidomics analysis identified a total of 348 quantifiable known lipid metabolites and 1951 lipid metabolites that are yet unknown; known metabolites were part of 13 lipid subclasses. After adjusting for BMI and sleep quality, in women with PTSD, only one lipid subclass, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) was altered, whereas, in men with PTSD, 9 out of 13 subclasses were altered compared to non-PTSD women and men, respectively. Severe PTSD was associated with 22% and 5% of altered lipid metabolites in men and women, respectively. Of the changed metabolites, only 0.5% measures (2 PEs and cholesterol) were common between women and men with PTSD. Several sphingomyelins, PEs, ceramides, and triglycerides were increased in men with severe PTSD. The correlations between triglycerides and ceramide metabolites with cholesterol metabolites and systolic blood pressure were dependent upon sex and PTSD status. Alterations in triglycerides and ceramides are linked with cardiac health and metabolic function in humans. Thus, disturbed sleep and higher body mass may have contributed to changes in the lipidome found in PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Bhargava
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
- Aseesa Inc., Hillsborough, CA, 94010, USA.
| | | | - Oliver Fiehn
- NIH West Coast Metabolomics Center, University of California Davis Genome Center, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Thomas C Neylan
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement St. (116P), San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Sabra S Inslicht
- San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement St. (116P), San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
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3
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Yao A, Nishitani S, Yamada Y, Oshima H, Sugihara Y, Makita K, Takiguchi S, Kawata NYS, Fujisawa TX, Okazawa H, Inatani M, Tomoda A. Subclinical structural atypicality of retinal thickness and its association with gray matter volume in the visual cortex of maltreated children. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11465. [PMID: 38769421 PMCID: PMC11106279 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62392-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Childhood maltreatment is reportedly associated with atypical gray matter structures in the primary visual cortex (V1). This study explores the hypothesis that retinal structures, the sensory organs of vision, are associated with brain atypicality and child maltreatment and examines their interrelation. General ophthalmologic examinations, visual cognitive tasks, retinal imaging, and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were conducted in children and adolescents aged 9-18 years with maltreatment experiences (CM) and typically developing (TD) children. The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), the most superficial of the ten distinct retinal layers, was found to be significantly thinner in both eyes in CM. While whole-brain analysis using Voxel-based morphometry revealed a significantly larger gray matter volume (GMV) in the thalamus in CM, no significant correlation with RNFL thickness was observed. However, based on region-of-interest analysis, a thinner RNFL was associated with a larger GMV in the right V1. Although it cannot be ruled out that this outcome resulted from maltreatment alone, CM demonstrated subclinical structural atypicality in the retina, which may also correlate with the immaturity of V1 development. Examination of retinal thickness offers a novel clinical approach to capturing characteristics associated with childhood maltreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Yao
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuoka-Shimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Fukui, 910-1193, Japan
| | - Shota Nishitani
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuoka-Shimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Fukui, 910-1193, Japan.
- Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Osaka, Japan.
- Life Science Innovation Center, School of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.
| | - Yutaka Yamada
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Oshima
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Yuka Sugihara
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Kai Makita
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuoka-Shimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Fukui, 910-1193, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Takiguchi
- Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Osaka, Japan
- Life Science Innovation Center, School of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychological Medicine, University of Fukui Hospital, Fukui, Japan
| | - Natasha Y S Kawata
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuoka-Shimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Fukui, 910-1193, Japan
| | - Takashi X Fujisawa
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuoka-Shimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Fukui, 910-1193, Japan
- Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Osaka, Japan
- Life Science Innovation Center, School of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Hidehiko Okazawa
- Life Science Innovation Center, School of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
- Biomedical Imaging Research Center, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Masaru Inatani
- Life Science Innovation Center, School of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Akemi Tomoda
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, University of Fukui, 23-3 Matsuoka-Shimoaizuki, Eiheiji-cho, Fukui, 910-1193, Japan.
- Division of Developmental Higher Brain Functions, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Osaka, Japan.
- Life Science Innovation Center, School of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan.
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychological Medicine, University of Fukui Hospital, Fukui, Japan.
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Preiss M, Fňašková M, Berezka S, Yevmenova T, Heissler R, Sanders E, Winnette P, Rektor I. War and women: An analysis of Ukrainian refugee women staying in the Czech Republic. Glob Ment Health (Camb) 2024; 11:e47. [PMID: 38690571 PMCID: PMC11058516 DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2024.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
In addition to the loss of life, Russian aggression against Ukraine, which began in February 2022, also brings interpersonal losses resulting from the need to emigrate. Parallel to the fighting men, women bear most of the burden of caring for the family. Using in-depth interviews supplemented by questions about adverse childhood experiences and administration of The Centrality of Events Scale and the PTSD Checklist - PCL-5 with 43 Ukrainian women (18-60 years old), we analyzed adaptation to the situation of emigration and the association of their war and earlier experiences with the level of traumatization. Women were interviewed shortly after emigration to the Czech Republic (3-42 week afterward). High levels of adverse childhood experiences and post-traumatic stress symptoms were found. The war was perceived as a currently negative central event associated with traumatic stress symptoms, and 79% of the sample expressed the opinion that the war had changed them. The results of this study suggest an intertwining of previous life experiences with the current need and ability to adapt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Preiss
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
- University of New York in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Centre for Neuroscience, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Monika Fňašková
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Centre for Neuroscience, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sofia Berezka
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Centre for Neuroscience, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tetiana Yevmenova
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Centre for Neuroscience, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Heissler
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Edel Sanders
- University of New York in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Winnette
- Natama Institute, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ivan Rektor
- Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Centre for Neuroscience, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Neurology, St. Anne’s University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
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Delteil C, Manlius T, Marle O, Godio-Raboutet Y, Bailly N, Piercecchi-Marti MD, Tuchtan L, Thollon L. Head injury: Importance of the deep brain nuclei in force transmission to the brain. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 356:111952. [PMID: 38350415 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.111952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Finite element modeling provides a digital representation of the human body. It is currently the most pertinent method to study the mechanisms of head injury, and is becoming a scientific reference in forensic expert reports. Improved biofidelity is a recurrent aim of research studies in biomechanics in order to improve earlier models whose mechanical properties conformed to simplified elastic behavior and mechanic laws. We aimed to study force transmission to the brain following impacts to the head, using a finite element head model with increased biofidelity. To the model developed by the Laboratory of Applied Biomechanics of Marseille, we added new brain structures (thalamus, central gray nuclei and ventricular systems) as well as three tracts involved in the symptoms of head injury: the corpus callosum, uncinate tracts and corticospinal tracts. Three head impact scenarios were simulated: an uppercut with the prior model and an uppercut with the improved model in order to compare the two models, and a lateral impact with an impact velocity of 6.5 m/s in the improved model. In these conditions, in uppercuts the maximum stress values did not exceed the injury risk threshold. On the other hand, the deep gray matter (thalamus and central gray nuclei) was the region at highest risk of injury during lateral impacts. Even if injury to the deep gray matter is not immediately life-threatening, it could explain the chronic disabling symptoms of even low-intensity head injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Delteil
- Forensic Department, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, La Timone, 264 rue St Pierre, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France; Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, EFS, ADES, Marseille, France.
| | - Thais Manlius
- Aix Marseille Univ, Univ Gustave Eiffel, LBA, Marseille, France
| | - Oceane Marle
- Aix Marseille Univ, Univ Gustave Eiffel, LBA, Marseille, France
| | | | - Nicolas Bailly
- Aix Marseille Univ, Univ Gustave Eiffel, LBA, Marseille, France
| | - Marie-Dominique Piercecchi-Marti
- Forensic Department, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, La Timone, 264 rue St Pierre, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France; Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, EFS, ADES, Marseille, France
| | - Lucile Tuchtan
- Forensic Department, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, La Timone, 264 rue St Pierre, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France; Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, EFS, ADES, Marseille, France
| | - Lionel Thollon
- Aix Marseille Univ, Univ Gustave Eiffel, LBA, Marseille, France
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Nkrumah RO, von Schröder C, Demirakca T, Schmahl C, Ende G. Cortical volume alteration in the superior parietal region mediates the relationship between childhood abuse and PTSD avoidance symptoms: A complementary multimodal neuroimaging study. Neurobiol Stress 2024; 28:100586. [PMID: 38045556 PMCID: PMC10689271 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2023.100586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Okyere Nkrumah
- Department of Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Claudius von Schröder
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine & Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Traute Demirakca
- Department of Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Christian Schmahl
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine & Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Gabriele Ende
- Department of Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
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Li W, Li Q, Zhang P, Liu H, Ye Z. Interaction between childhood trauma experience and TPH2 rs7305115 gene polymorphism in brain gray matter volume. BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN FUNCTIONS : BBF 2023; 19:22. [PMID: 38093326 PMCID: PMC10720107 DOI: 10.1186/s12993-023-00224-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood trauma is one of the most extensively studied and well-supported environmental risk factors for the development of mental health problems. The human tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2) gene is one of the most promising candidate genes in numerous psychiatric disorders. However, it is now widely acknowledged that neither genetic variation nor environmental exposure alone can fully explain all the phenotypic variance observed in psychiatric disorders. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the interaction between the two factors in psychiatric research. METHODS We enrolled a sizable nonclinical cohort of 786 young, healthy adults who underwent structural MRI scans and completed genotyping, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and behavioural scores. We identified the interaction between childhood trauma and the TPH2 rs7305115 gene polymorphism in the gray matter volume (GMV) of specific brain subregions and the behaviour in our sample using a multiple linear regression framework. We utilized mediation effect analysis to identify environment /gene-brain-behaviour relationships. RESULTS We found that childhood trauma and TPH2 rs7305115 interacted in both behaviour and the GMV of brain subregions. Our findings indicated that the GMV of the right posterior parietal thalamus served as a significant mediator supporting relationship between childhood trauma (measured by CTQ score) and anxiety scores in our study population, and the process was partly modulated by the TPH2 rs7305115 gene polymorphism. Moreover, we found only a main effect of childhood trauma in the GMV of the right parahippocampal gyrus area, supporting the relationship between childhood trauma and anxiety scores as a significant mediator. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that early-life trauma may have a specific and long-term structural effect on brain GMV, potentially leading to altered cognitive and emotional processes involving the parahippocampal gyrus and thalamus that may also be modulated by the TPH2 gene polymorphism. This finding highlights the importance of considering genetic factors when examining the impact of early-life experiences on brain structure and function. Gene‒environment studies can be regarded as a powerful objective supplement for targeted therapy, early diagnosis and treatment evaluation in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital; Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Huanhuxi Road, Hexi District, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital; Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Huanhuxi Road, Hexi District, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital; Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Huanhuxi Road, Hexi District, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Huaigui Liu
- Department of Radiology and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China.
| | - Zhaoxiang Ye
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital; Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Huanhuxi Road, Hexi District, Tianjin, 300060, China.
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8
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Popovich C, Grau AS, Shih CH, Chidiac NT, Zhou A, Wang X, Xie H. Changes in fear-associated learning task brain activation over the COVID-19 pandemic period: a preliminary longitudinal analysis. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1239697. [PMID: 38076693 PMCID: PMC10699136 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1239697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound impacts on people worldwide. Previous studies have shown that fear learning, extinction, recall, and contextual information processing involve the activation of emotion and sensory brain systems, which can be modified. However, it remains unclear whether brain functions associated with these processes have been altered over the pandemic period. Methods We compared pre- and peri-pandemic brain activation during a fear-associated learning task (FALT) using previously collected data. The participants were divided into two groups: the pandemic group (n = 16), who completed a baseline FALT before the pandemic and repeated the task during the pandemic, and the non-pandemic group (n = 77), who completed both sessions before the pandemic began. Results Compared with the non-pandemic group, the pandemic group exhibited significant decreases in brain activation from baseline to follow-up assessments, including activation in the brainstem during early fear learning, the posterior thalamus/hippocampus during late extinction, and the occipital pole during late recall phases for contextual processing. Furthermore, activations associated with retrieving safety cues were reduced in the posterior cingulate, premotor, and calcarine cortices during the early recall phase, and activations associated with retrieving dangerous cues decreased in the occipital pole during the late recall phase. Additionally, correlations between decreased activation and elevated posttraumatic stress symptoms were observed. Conclusion These findings suggest that activations associated with processing low arousal contextual information, safety cues, and extinguished fear cues decreased during the pandemic. These changes in brain activation may have contributed to the increase in mental health disturbances observed during this time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Popovich
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Aaron S. Grau
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Chia-Hao Shih
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Neejad T. Chidiac
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Adrian Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Hong Xie
- Department of Neurosciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
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9
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Yang B, Jia Y, Zheng W, Wang L, Qi Q, Qin W, Li X, Chen X, Lu J, Li H, Zhang Q, Chen N. Structural changes in the thalamus and its subregions in regulating different symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2023; 335:111706. [PMID: 37651834 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2023.111706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
As a key center for sensory information processing and transmission, the thalamus plays a crucial role in the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the changes in the thalamus and its role in regulating different PTSD symptoms remain unclear. In this study, fourteen PTSD patients and eighteen healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. All subjects underwent whole-brain T1-weighted three-dimensional Magnetization Prepared Rapid Gradient Echo Imaging scans. Gray matter volume (GMV) in the thalamus and its subregions were estimated using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Compared to HCs, PTSD patients exhibited significant GMV reduction in the left thalamus and its subregions, including anterior, mediodorsal, ventral-lateral-dorsal (VLD), ventral-anterior, and ventral-lateral-ventral (VLV). Among the significantly reduced thalamic subregions, we found positive correlations between the GMV values of the left VLD and VLV and the re-experiencing symptoms score, arousal symptoms score, and total CAPS score. When using the symptom-related GMV values of left VLV and VLD in combination as a predictor, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that the area under the curve (AUC) for binary classification reached 0.813. This study highlights the neurobiological mechanisms of PTSD related to thalamic changes and may provide potential imaging markers for diagnosis and therapy targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beining Yang
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100053 Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Brain Informatics, 100053 Beijing, China
| | - Yulong Jia
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100053 Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Brain Informatics, 100053 Beijing, China
| | - Weimin Zheng
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100053 Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Brain Informatics, 100053 Beijing, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100053 Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Brain Informatics, 100053 Beijing, China
| | - Qunya Qi
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100053 Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Brain Informatics, 100053 Beijing, China
| | - Wen Qin
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052 Tianjin, China
| | - Xuejing Li
- Department of Radiology, China Rehabilitation Research Center, 100068 Beijing, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100053 Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Brain Informatics, 100053 Beijing, China
| | - Jie Lu
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100053 Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Brain Informatics, 100053 Beijing, China
| | - Huabing Li
- Department of Radiology, Jinmei Group General Hospital, Jincheng 048006, Shanxi, China.
| | - Quan Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, 300052 Tianjin, China.
| | - Nan Chen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, 100053 Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Brain Informatics, 100053 Beijing, China.
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10
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Xie H, Shih CH, Aldoohan SD, Wall JT, Wang X. Hypothalamus volume mediates the association between adverse childhood experience and PTSD development after adulthood trauma. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:274. [PMID: 37542036 PMCID: PMC10403516 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02576-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamus is critical for regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and response to stress. Adverse childhood experience (ACE) can affect brain structure, which may contribute to development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after subsequent adult trauma. It is unclear, however, if ACE history is particularly associated with aspects of hypothalamic structure which contribute to development of PTSD. To address this issue, the present study longitudinally assessed hypothalamic volumes and their associations with ACE and early post-trauma stress symptoms in subjects who did or did not develop PTSD during 12 months after adult trauma. 109 subjects (18-60 years, F/M = 75/34) completed the PTSD Checklist (PCL) questionnaire for post-trauma stress symptoms, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) for ACE assessment, and an initial MRI brain scan for hypothalamic volume measurement, within 2 weeks after adult trauma. At post-trauma 12 months, subjects underwent a subsequent PTSD diagnosis interview using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), and a follow-up MRI scan. Left and right hypothalamus volumes at 2 weeks after adult trauma negatively correlated with CTQ scores. Right hypothalamus volume at this early time mediated an association between ACE and PTSD symptoms 12 months later. Right hypothalamus volumes also remained persistently smaller from 2 weeks to 12 months after trauma in survivors who developed PTSD. These results suggest that smaller right hypothalamus volume may be related to ACE history in ways that contribute to PTSD development after trauma in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Xie
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.
| | - Chia-Hao Shih
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | | | - John T Wall
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
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11
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Huffman N, Shih CH, Cotton AS, Lewis TJ, Grider S, Wall JT, Wang X, Xie H. Association of age of adverse childhood experiences with thalamic volumes and post-traumatic stress disorder in adulthood. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1147686. [PMID: 37283956 PMCID: PMC10239841 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1147686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked to brain development and mental disorders, however, the impact of the age of occurrence of ACEs on thalamic volume and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after adult trauma remains unclear. This study assessed associations between ACEs at different ages to thalamic volumes and PTSD development following acute adult trauma. Methods Seventy-nine adult trauma survivors were recruited immediately after trauma. Within 2 weeks of the traumatic event, participants completed the PTSD Checklist (PCL) to assess PTSD symptoms, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and Childhood Age Range Stress Scale (CARSS) to evaluate ACEs and perceived stress level at preschool (<6 years old) and school (6-13 years old) ages, and structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) to measure thalamic volumes. Participants were divided into three groups: those who experienced no childhood trauma or stress (non-ACEs), those who experienced childhood trauma and stress onset at preschool ages (Presch-ACEs), and those who experienced childhood trauma and stress onset at school ages (Sch-ACEs). At 3 months, participants underwent PTSD symptom evaluation using the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). Results Adult trauma survivors in the Presch-ACEs group had higher CTQ and CAPS scores. In addition, survivors in the Presch-ACEs group had smaller thalamic volume compared to survivors in the non-ACEs and Sch-ACEs groups. Furthermore, smaller thalamic volume moderated a positive association between post-trauma 2-week PCL and subsequent 3-month CAPS scores. Discussion Earlier occurrence of ACEs was associated with smaller thalamic volume, which appears to moderate a positive association between early posttraumatic stress symptom severity and PTSD development after adult trauma. This raises the possibility that early occurrence of ACEs may impact thalamic structure, specifically a reduction in thalamic volume, and that smaller thalamic volume may contribute to susceptibility to PTSD development after adult trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nickelas Huffman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Chia-Hao Shih
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Andrew S. Cotton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Terrence J. Lewis
- Department of Radiology, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Stephen Grider
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - John T. Wall
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Hong Xie
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, United States
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12
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Zheng Y, Wu Y, Liu Y, Li D, Liang X, Chen Y, Zhang H, Guo Y, Lu R, Wang J, Qiu S. Abnormal dynamic functional connectivity of thalamic subregions in patients with first-episode, drug-naïve major depressive disorder. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1152332. [PMID: 37234210 PMCID: PMC10206063 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1152332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recent studies have shown that major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with altered intrinsic functional connectivity (FC) of the thalamus; however, investigations of these alterations at a finer time scale and the level of thalamic subregions are still lacking. Methods We collected resting-state functional MRI data from 100 treatment-naïve, first-episode MDD patients and 99 age-, gender- and education-matched healthy controls (HCs). Seed-based whole-brain sliding window-based dFC analyses were performed for 16 thalamic subregions. Between-group differences in the mean and variance of dFC were determined using threshold-free cluster enhancement algorithm. For significant alterations, there relationships with clinical and neuropsychological variables were further examined via bivariate and multivariate correlation analyses. Results Of all thalamic subregions, only the left sensory thalamus (Stha) showed altered variance of dFC in the patients characterized by increases with the left inferior parietal lobule, left superior frontal gyrus, left inferior temporal gyrus, and left precuneus, and decreases with multiple frontal, temporal, parietal, and subcortical regions. These alterations accounted for, to a great extent, clinical, and neuropsychological characteristics of the patients as revealed by the multivariate correlation analysis. In addition, the bivariate correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between the variance of dFC between the left Stha and right inferior temporal gurus/fusiform and childhood trauma questionnaires scores (r = 0.562, P < 0.001). Conclusion These findings suggest that the left Stha is the most vulnerable thalamic subregion to MDD, whose dFC alterations may serve as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanting Zheng
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yujie Wu
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yujie Liu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Radiology, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Danian Li
- Cerebropathy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinyu Liang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yaoping Chen
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hanyue Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan Guo
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ruoxi Lu
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinhui Wang
- Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shijun Qiu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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13
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Shih CH, Zhou A, Grider S, Xie H, Wang X, Elhai JD. Early self-reported post-traumatic stress symptoms after trauma exposure and associations with diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder at 3 months: latent profile analysis. BJPsych Open 2023; 9:e27. [PMID: 36700253 PMCID: PMC9885326 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2023.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trauma exposure can cause post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and persistently experiencing PTSS may lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research has shown that PTSS that emerged within days of trauma was a robust predictor of PTSD development. AIMS To investigate patterns of early stress responses to trauma and their associations with development of PTSD. METHOD We recruited 247 civilian trauma survivors from a local hospital emergency department. The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and Acute Stress Disorder Scale (ASDS) were completed within 2 weeks after the traumatic event. Additionally, 3 months post-trauma 146 of these participants completed a PTSD diagnostic interview using the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5. RESULTS We first used latent profile analysis on four symptom clusters of the PCL-5 and the dissociation symptom cluster of the ASDS and determined that a four-profile model ('severe symptoms', 'moderate symptoms', 'mild symptoms', 'minimal symptoms') was optimal based on multiple fit indices. Gender was found to be predictive of profile membership. We then found a significant association between subgroup membership and PTSD diagnosis (χ2(3) = 11.85, P < 0.01, Cramer's V = 0.263). Post hoc analysis revealed that this association was driven by participants in the 'severe symptoms' profile, who had a greater likelihood of developing PTSD. CONCLUSIONS These findings fill the knowledge gap of identifying possible subgroups of individuals based on their PTSS severity during the early post-trauma period and investigating the relationship between subgroup membership and PTSD development, which have important implications for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hao Shih
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Adrian Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Stephen Grider
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Hong Xie
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Jon D Elhai
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA; and Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, USA
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14
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Childhood adversities and risk of posttraumatic stress disorder and major depression following a motor vehicle collision in adulthood. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 2023; 32:e1. [PMID: 36624694 PMCID: PMC9879881 DOI: 10.1017/s2045796022000798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Childhood adversities (CAs) predict heightened risks of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive episode (MDE) among people exposed to adult traumatic events. Identifying which CAs put individuals at greatest risk for these adverse posttraumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae (APNS) is important for targeting prevention interventions. METHODS Data came from n = 999 patients ages 18-75 presenting to 29 U.S. emergency departments after a motor vehicle collision (MVC) and followed for 3 months, the amount of time traditionally used to define chronic PTSD, in the Advancing Understanding of Recovery After Trauma (AURORA) study. Six CA types were self-reported at baseline: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect and bullying. Both dichotomous measures of ever experiencing each CA type and numeric measures of exposure frequency were included in the analysis. Risk ratios (RRs) of these CA measures as well as complex interactions among these measures were examined as predictors of APNS 3 months post-MVC. APNS was defined as meeting self-reported criteria for either PTSD based on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 and/or MDE based on the PROMIS Depression Short-Form 8b. We controlled for pre-MVC lifetime histories of PTSD and MDE. We also examined mediating effects through peritraumatic symptoms assessed in the emergency department and PTSD and MDE assessed in 2-week and 8-week follow-up surveys. Analyses were carried out with robust Poisson regression models. RESULTS Most participants (90.9%) reported at least rarely having experienced some CA. Ever experiencing each CA other than emotional neglect was univariably associated with 3-month APNS (RRs = 1.31-1.60). Each CA frequency was also univariably associated with 3-month APNS (RRs = 1.65-2.45). In multivariable models, joint associations of CAs with 3-month APNS were additive, with frequency of emotional abuse (RR = 2.03; 95% CI = 1.43-2.87) and bullying (RR = 1.44; 95% CI = 0.99-2.10) being the strongest predictors. Control variable analyses found that these associations were largely explained by pre-MVC histories of PTSD and MDE. CONCLUSIONS Although individuals who experience frequent emotional abuse and bullying in childhood have a heightened risk of experiencing APNS after an adult MVC, these associations are largely mediated by prior histories of PTSD and MDE.
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