Dissociative experiences alter resting state functional connectivity after childhood abuse
Claudius von Schröder1, Richard O Nkrumah2, Traute Demirakca2
1Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany. claudius.schroeder@zi-mannheim.de.
Scientific Reports
|February 3, 2025
Summary
Childhood abuse is linked to distinct brain connectivity patterns in individuals with dissociative experiences. This research identifies specific neural signatures associated with childhood abuse and dissociation, potentially explaining memory processing differences.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Trauma Research
Background:
- Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are frequently associated with dissociative experiences.
- Previous neurofunctional biomarker research has not fully explored the unique links between dissociation and specific dimensions of childhood abuse and neglect.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neurofunctional interactions between dissociative experiences and dimensions of childhood abuse and neglect.
- To identify distinct neural signatures associated with childhood abuse-related dissociative experiences.
Main Methods:
- Resting-state functional connectivity analysis in 91 participants with a history of ACE.
- Seed-to-voxel analyses using the right-lateralized anterior middle frontal gyrus (raMFG) as a seed.
- Quantification of dissociation and ACE dimensions using the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ).
Main Results:
- A significant interaction between DES and CTQ-Abuse (CTQ-A) predicted an anti-correlation between the raMFG and the right hippocampus, moderated by CTQ-A.
- The CTQ revealed negative connectivity between the raMFG and the right anterior cingulate cortex.
- Childhood neglect (CTQ-N) showed positive correlations between the raMFG and both the right supplementary motor area and right insula.
Conclusions:
- The study identifies a distinct neural signature for dissociative experiences related to childhood abuse.
- Findings suggest a potential link between these neural patterns, childhood abuse, and the processing of dissociated memories.
More Related Videos
09:55Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Published on: March 8, 2018
12.3K
10:59Investigations on Alterations of Hippocampal Circuit Function Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: November 19, 2012
15.2K
Related Concept Videos
01:27Dissociative Disorders
25
Dissociative disorders represent complex psychological conditions characterized by disruptions in consciousness, memory, identity, or perception. These disruptions cause individuals to experience a disconnection from their thoughts, emotions, and memories. The phenomenon is not merely an occasional lapse in attention but a profound alteration in mental functioning that can severely impact daily life.
Dissociative Fugue
A hallmark feature of dissociative disorders is the dissociative fugue...
Dissociative Fugue
A hallmark feature of dissociative disorders is the dissociative fugue...
25
01:30Dissociative Identity Disorder
19
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously termed multiple personality disorder, is a complex psychological condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states. Each identity exhibits unique patterns of behavior, voice, and mannerisms and may possess separate memories and emotional responses. The alternating control between identities can result in memory gaps and challenges in recalling daily activities, often exacerbating the individual's...
19
01:21Dissociative Amnesia
32
Dissociative amnesia is a complex psychological condition that manifests as an inability to recall personal information, often tied to traumatic or stressful events. Unlike general amnesia, individuals with this condition retain the ability to perform routine activities and procedural tasks, such as operating a phone or navigating public transportation, yet experience profound gaps in autobiographical memory. These lapses may encompass significant life events, such as suicide attempts or...
32
01:20Traumatic Memory
72
Emotionally traumatic events often lead to memories that are exceptionally vivid and enduring, sometimes persisting with remarkable clarity throughout an individual's life. A classic example of this phenomenon is a person who survives a car accident. Even years later, they may recall every detail of the event with startling accuracy — the screeching of the tires, the jarring impact, and the acrid smell of burning rubber. Such vividness contrasts sharply with how an individual...
72
01:27Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
27
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
27
01:16Repressed Memory
58
Repressed memories are a psychological phenomenon where memories of traumatic events are unconsciously blocked from a person's awareness. This process occurs as a defense mechanism, protecting the mind from the emotional impact of distressing or painful experiences. For example, a person who has experienced childhood trauma may grow up with no conscious recollection of the event. In such cases, the memories are thought to be buried deep within the subconscious, inaccessible to the conscious...
58