Dimensions of childhood maltreatment and neural circuits of affective inhibitory control: An fMRI study

Abstract

Background

Research suggests that the neurobiological consequences of early life adversity, including circuits supporting inhibitory control in emotional contexts, are important mechanisms of risk transmission for later psychiatric problems. However, different types of adversity may have separable impacts on the brain. Using a dimensional approach, we examined the unique and interactive effects of childhood deprivation (i.e., neglect) and threat (i.e., abuse) on neural circuits supporting affective inhibitory control in adulthood.

Methods

110 community adults [M/SDage= 31.92/10.58 years old, 52.7 % male], recruited predominately from communities with high rates of socioeconomic disadvantage, reported on childhood maltreatment and completed Go/No-Go fMRI tasks that assessed inhibitory control during emotional (reward cues, negative mood) and neutral contexts.

Results

Childhood deprivation uniquely moderated inhibition-related neural activation in prefrontal cortex in the Reward Cues and Negative Mood context. Conversely, childhood experiences of threat moderated inhibition-related neural activation in the bilateral amygdala during the Negative Mood condition. No interaction effects between childhood deprivation and threat were found.

Conclusions

Results provide initial support for dimensional models of childhood maltreatment. Childhood deprivation and threat were associated with affect related control in separate regions of the brain, suggesting that these dimensions of childhood maltreatment may be associated with distinct neurobiological correlates in circuits supporting affective inhibitory control, illuminating potential mechanisms of risk transmission. Findings are discussed in the context of existing literature and areas for future directions.