The moderating effect of lifetime physical activity on brain alterations related to adverse childhood experiences.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can cause morphological brain alterations across the lifespan, contributing to increased vulnerability to mental and physical disorders. Despite extensive research on ACEs-related brain alterations, the protective or augmenting role of modifiable lifestyle factors such as physical activity has been largely underexplored, representing a key gap in our understanding of trauma-related neuroplasticity. To close this gap, we aimed to investigate how lifetime physical activity (LPA) influences the relationship between ACEs and morphological brain alterations.

Methods

Moderation analyses using Hayes' PROCESS macro examined the interaction between ACEs and LPA on the volume of limbic system-related regions - hippocampus, amygdala, ante

SUBMITTER: Zehirlioglu L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12646122 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature