Changes in Default-Mode Network Associated With Childhood Trauma in Schizophrenia
Maria R Dauvermann1,2,3, David Mothersill1,2,4, Karolina I Rokita1,2
1School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
Schizophrenia Bulletin
|April 6, 2021
Summary
Childhood trauma history is linked to altered default-mode network (DMN) connectivity in schizophrenia patients and controls. These DMN changes may explain how early adversity affects cognitive performance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Psychiatry
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Schizophrenia is characterized by default-mode network (DMN) dysconnectivity.
- Childhood trauma (CT) is more prevalent in schizophrenia but its link to DMN connectivity is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between childhood trauma history and DMN functional connectivity in schizophrenia.
- To explore if CT-associated DMN alterations mediate cognitive performance, specifically Theory of Mind (ToM).
Main Methods:
- Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data from 65 schizophrenia patients and 132 healthy controls.
- Seed-based functional connectivity analyses of four DMN regions.
- Multiple regression to assess CT effects and mediation by ToM measures.
Main Results:
- Patients showed widespread reductions in DMN functional connectivity compared to controls.
- Higher CT scores correlated with reduced prefrontal-parietal connectivity across all participants.
- CT-associated DMN connectivity differences predicted variations in ToM performance.
Conclusions:
- Childhood trauma history is associated with altered DMN connectivity in schizophrenia and healthy individuals.
- These connectivity changes may partly explain the link between early adversity and cognitive deficits.
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