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Corticolimbic structure-function coupling is sensitive to childhood adversity and buffers adversity-related symptoms
Lucinda M Sisk1, Taylor J Keding1, Allison Drew1
1Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|January 7, 2026
Summary
Childhood adversity impacts mental health by altering brain development. Specific brain circuit connectivity, like amygdala-vmPFC structure-function coupling (SFC), can buffer against internalizing symptoms, promoting resilience in youth.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Childhood adversity is a significant risk factor for lifelong mental health issues.
- Stress-sensitive corticolimbic circuits are implicated in psychopathology linked to adversity.
- Structure-function coupling (SFC) is a sensitive marker of brain plasticity and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how SFC in corticolimbic circuits links childhood adversity exposure to mental health outcomes across development.
- To examine the associations between adversity, transdiagnostic symptoms, and amygdala-cortical/hippocampal-cortical SFC in youth.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a large sample of youth (N=607) to analyze associations between adversity exposure, mental health symptoms, and SFC.
- Examined amygdala-vmPFC SFC and hippocampal-limbic network SFC in relation to developmental changes and adversity.
- Employed statistical modeling to assess moderation and buffering effects of SFC on adversity-related outcomes.
Main Results:
- Adversity exposure moderated age-related changes in amygdala-vmPFC SFC, with higher adversity linked to increased SFC over time.
- Amygdala-vmPFC SFC acted as a buffer, with stronger coupling associated with lower internalizing symptoms despite high adversity.
- Higher adversity was linked to lower hippocampal-limbic network SFC, which moderated the impact of adversity on internalizing symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Neurodevelopment of amygdala-vmPFC and hippocampal-limbic networks adapt distinctively to adversity.
- These adaptations in brain connectivity play a role in risk and resilience for internalizing psychopathology.
- SFC in specific brain circuits offers insights into how youth cope with and recover from childhood adversity.
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