Loss and abuse in children can lead to unresolved–disorganized (UD) attachment. Howthis condition relates to brain structure and functionalconnectivity (FC) is unknown. We therefore aimed to... Show moreLoss and abuse in children can lead to unresolved–disorganized (UD) attachment. Howthis condition relates to brain structure and functionalconnectivity (FC) is unknown. We therefore aimed to investigate gray matter volume (GMV) and resting state functional connectivity(RSFC) correlates of UD attachment in adolescents. Based on previous neuroimaging studies of trauma effects, we hypothesized thatthe structure of the amygdala and hippocampus and the FC of the latter would be linked to UD attachment. Anatomical and RSFC datawere collected from a mixed group of adolescents (N = 74) with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to childhoodsexual abuse (CSA), anxiety/depressive symptoms, and without psychiatric disorder as part of the Emotional Pathways’ Imaging Study inClinical Adolescents (EPISCA). Bilateral volumes of the amygdala and hippocampus were measured using the FMRIB Software Library,and RSFC of the hippocampus was assessed using seed-based correlation. UD attachment was measured using the Adult AttachmentInterview. Hierarchical regression and correlation were used to assess the associations between UD status (continuous and categorical),brain structure, and FC, adjusting for a general psychopathology factor, puberty stage, gender, age, and IQ. UD attachment was associatedwith a smaller left hippocampal volume, R2 = .23, and a higher level of FC between the hippocampus and the middle temporal gyrus andlateral occipital cortex. The associations among UD attachment, specific brain structure, and FC across psychopathological classificationsshows promise for dimensional complements to the dominant classificatory approach in clinical research and practice. Show less
Hoof, M.J. van; Riem, M.; Garrett, A.; Pannekoek, N.; Wee, N. van der; IJzendoorn, M. van; Vermeiren, R. 2019
Loss and abuse in children can lead to unresolved-disorganized (UD) attachment. How this condition relates to brain structure and functional connectivity (FC) is unknown. We therefore aimed to... Show moreLoss and abuse in children can lead to unresolved-disorganized (UD) attachment. How this condition relates to brain structure and functional connectivity (FC) is unknown. We therefore aimed to investigate gray matter volume (GMV) and resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) correlates of UD attachment in adolescents. Based on previous neuroimaging studies of trauma effects, we hypothesized that the structure of the amygdala and hippocampus and the FC of the latter would be linked to UD attachment. Anatomical and RSFC data were collected from a mixed group of adolescents (N = 74) with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to childhood sexual abuse (CSA), anxiety/depressive symptoms, and without psychiatric disorder as part of the Emotional Pathways' Imaging Study in Clinical Adolescents (EPISCA). Bilateral volumes of the amygdala and hippocampus were measured using the FMRIB Software Library, and RSFC of the hippocampus was assessed using seed-based correlation. UD attachment was measured using the Adult Attachment Interview. Hierarchical regression and correlation were used to assess the associations between UD status (continuous and categorical), brain structure, and FC, adjusting for a general psychopathology factor, puberty stage, gender, age, and IQ. UD attachment was associated with a smaller left hippocampal volume, R-2 = .23, and a higher level of FC between the hippocampus and the middle temporal gyrus and lateral occipital cortex. The associations among UD attachment, specific brain structure, and FC across psychopathological classifications shows promise for dimensional complements to the dominant classificatory approach in clinical research and practice. Show less
Hoof, M.J. van; Riem, M.; Garrett, A.; Pannekoek, N.; Wee, N. van der; IJzendoorn, M. van; Vermeiren, R. 2019
