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The Default Mode Network Mediates the Impact of Infant Regulatory Problems on Adult Avoidant Personality Traits

Josef G Bäuml1, Nicole Baumann2, Mihai Avram1

  • 1Department of Neuroradiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, München, Germany; TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Technische Universität München, München, Germany.

Biological Psychiatry. Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging
|December 24, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Infant regulatory problems (RPs) are linked to adult behavioral issues, particularly avoidant personality traits. These issues are mediated by alterations in the default mode network (DMN), suggesting potential therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Infant regulatory problems (RPs) like crying, feeding, or sleeping issues are linked to childhood behavioral and emotional problems.
  • It remains unclear if these problems persist into adulthood.
  • The default mode network (DMN) and salience network (SN) are crucial for interoceptive regulation and socio-emotional functioning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if a history of infant RPs is associated with increased behavioral and emotional problems in adulthood.
  • To explore the mediating role of DMN and SN alterations in this association.
  • To identify potential neural targets for intervention in adults with a history of infant RPs.

Main Methods:

  • The Bavarian Longitudinal Study assessed adults (mean age 28) with and without a history of infant RPs using the Young Adult Self Report.
  • A subsample underwent resting-state functional MRI to assess DMN/SN intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC).
  • Statistical analyses compared behavioral outcomes and DMN/SN iFC between groups.

Main Results:

  • Adults with a history of infant RPs reported more total problems, internalizing problems, and avoidant personality traits.
  • These adults exhibited decreased DMN and SN iFC.
  • Decreased DMN iFC was most pronounced in those with persistent/multiple RPs and fully mediated the link to avoidant personality traits.

Conclusions:

  • A history of infant regulatory problems is associated with increased adult behavioral and emotional issues, specifically avoidant personality traits.
  • Alterations in the default mode network (DMN) mediate this association.
  • Targeting persistent/multiple infant RPs and the DMN may help mitigate adult behavioral and emotional problems.
Abstract

Keywords:
Allostatic–interoceptive systemBehavioral and emotional problemsDefault mode networkInfant regulatory problemsSalience networkYoung Adult Self Report

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