Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 21, 2025
Advanced Diffusion Imaging in The Hippocampus of Rats with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: August 14, 2019
Callosal abnormalities, altered cortisol levels, and neurocognitive deficits associated with early maltreatment among
Paulo Jannuzzi Cunha1, Fabio L S Duran1, Paula Approbato de Oliveira2
1Laboratory of Psychiatric Neuroimaging (LIM-21), Instituto de Psiquiatria, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Introduction:
Neuroimaging studies have shown callosal abnormalities among maltreated subjects, but little is known about the functional and neurobiological correlates of these supposed developmental alterations. The aim of this study was to investigate childhood maltreatment (CM), neurocognitive functioning, cortisol levels, and corpus callosum (CC) integrity among adolescents.
Methods:
One hundred and seven subjects underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with voxel-based diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) and the Crossed Finger Localization Test (CFLT). Psychopathology was investigated with the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS-PL); CM was detailed by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and salivary cortisol levels were measured by immunoassay.
Results:
Higher levels of CM were associated with current lower CFLT scores, mainly in the CROSSED condition, involving interhemispheric communication of sensorimotor information (p < .05) and with reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) in the splenium of the CC (p < .01). Deficits in the CFLT were also associated with higher cortisol levels (p < .05).
Conclusion:
The association among CM, neuropsychological abnormalities, callosal microstructure alterations, and cortisol levels suggests an altered pattern of brain interhemispheric connectivity among maltreated adolescents. Further studies are needed to investigate the extent to which these sensorimotor deficits and abnormal cortisol levels may be possible mediators of negative neurodevelopmental trajectories and adult psychopathology.
