Structural brain changes with lifetime trauma and re-experiencing symptoms is 5-HTTLPR genotype-dependent

Abstract

2020) Structural brain changes with lifetime trauma and re-experiencing symptoms is 5-HTTLPR genotype-dependentABSTRACT Background: Findings on structural brain alterations following trauma are inconsistent due probably to heterogeneity in imaging studies and population, clinical presentations, genetic vulnerability, and selection of controls. This study examines whether trauma and reexperiencing symptoms are associated with specific alterations in grey matter volumes and if this varies according to 5-HTTLPR genotype. Methods: Structural MRI was used to acquire anatomical scans from 377 communitydwelling older adults. Quantitative regional estimates of 22 subregional volumes were derived using FreeSurfer software. Lifetime trauma was assessed using the validated Watson's PTSD inventory, which evaluates the most severe trauma experienced according to DSM criteria. Analyses adjusted for age, sex, total brain volume, head injury, and comorbidities. Results: Of the 212 participants reporting lifetime trauma, 35.4% reported re-experiencing symptoms and for 1.9%, this was severe enough to meet criteria for full threshold PTSD. In participants with the SS 5-HTTLPR genotype only, re-experiencing symptoms were associated with smaller volumes in middle and superior temporal, frontal (lateral orbital, rostral and caudal middle) and parietal (precuneus, inferior and superior) regions. The traumaexposed participants without re-experiencing symptoms were not significantly different from the non-trauma-exposed participants except for smaller precuneus and superior parietal region in traumatized participants and a larger amygdala in traumatized women specifically. Conclusions: In the non-clinical sample, lifetime trauma and re-experiencing symptoms were associated with smaller volume in prefrontal, temporal and parietal cortex subregions, and this varied according to serotonergic genetic vulnerability, 5-HTTLPR SS individuals being most susceptible.

Childhood Trauma, the HPA Axis and Psychiatric Illnesses: A Targeted Literature Synthesis

“…The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) regulates the response of the amygdala by processing additional sensory information experienced during a traumatic event (38). Structural changes have also been observed in the mPFC in patients with PTSD (118,119). The prefrontal cortex has an extended sensitive period and continues to develop into early adulthood, making it more susceptible to insults through childhood to adolsecence.…”

Sex and gender in psychotrauma research

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“…In their study of non-institutionalized older participants (≥65 years of age) Ancelin et al ( 2020 ) evaluated if lifetime history of trauma and re-experiencing symptoms are associated with specific alterations in grey matter volumes, independently of comorbidity, and if so, whether this varies according to serotonergic genetic vulnerability. The authors found a significant sex interaction for the amygdala, with larger amygdalae in trauma-exposed participants without re-experiencing compared to non-traumatized and trauma-exposed participants with re-experiencing in female carriers of the SS 5-HTTLPR genotype.…”

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“…Research has shown that not only can stress have a profound impact on the physical body, but trauma can even change the physical structure of the brain [41] [42].…”