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Adverse childhood experiences and fronto-subcortical structures in the developing brain.
Elizabeth E L Buimer1, Rachel M Brouwer1,2, René C W Mandl1
1UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
|October 24, 2022
Summary
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impact brain development. Household substance abuse linked to larger frontal lobe surface area, while family violence associated with altered white matter tracts in children aged 8-11.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Psychiatry
Background:
- Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have varied impacts on individuals.
- Understanding the relationship between recent ACEs and brain morphology in children is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between various recent ACEs and brain morphology in children aged 8–11 years.
- To examine subcortical volumes, cortical thickness, surface area, and fractional anisotropy in relation to specific ACEs.
Main Methods:
- Utilized brain scans from 1,184 children in the YOUth cohort.
- Assessed ACEs through parent reports, including financial, familial, and social stressors.
- Employed linear models to analyze the relationship between each ACE and brain measures, adjusting for multiple comparisons.
Main Results:
- 83% of children experienced at least one ACE in the past year, with an average of two.
- Household substance abuse correlated with increased cortical surface area in specific frontal regions.
- Exposure to household violence was linked to reduced fractional anisotropy in the cingulum bundle hippocampus region.
Conclusions:
- Recent ACEs, specifically substance abuse and violence exposure, show distinct associations with brain morphology in school-aged children.
- Findings highlight the neurobiological impact of early life adversity.
- Further longitudinal research is needed to understand long-term effects on brain development.
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