Dataset Information

Effects of early adversity on the brain: Larger-volume anterior cingulate cortex in AIDS orphans.

ABSTRACT: Multiple studies have revealed that adolescent AIDS orphans have more psychosocial problems than healthy adolescents. However, little is known about whether and how the brain structures of adolescent AIDS orphans differ from those of healthy adolescents. Here, we used magnetic resonance imaging to compare adolescent AIDS orphans reared in institutions (N = 20) with a sex- and age-matched group of healthy adolescents reared in families (N = 20) in China using a voxel-based morphometry analysis. First, we found that both total gray- and white-matter volumes did not differ between groups. Second, after correcting for age, sex, and total gray-matter volume, the AIDS orphan group demonstrated smaller hippocampal volumes, larger anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) volumes, and no differences in the amygdala. Third, a whole-brain analysis identified higher gray-matter volume of the ACC in the AIDS orphan group than in the control group. The preliminary findings of this study highlight the need for future research to confirm the sensitivity of the hippocampus and ACC to early adversity.

SUBMITTER: Zuo P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6331092 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Effects of early adversity on the brain: Larger-volume anterior cingulate cortex in AIDS orphans.

Zuo Peiying P Wang Yinan Y Liu Jia J Hu Siyuan S Zhao Guoxiang G Huang Lijie L Lin Danhua D

PloS one 20190114 1

Multiple studies have revealed that adolescent AIDS orphans have more psychosocial problems than healthy adolescents. However, little is known about whether and how the brain structures of adolescent AIDS orphans differ from those of healthy adolescents. Here, we used magnetic resonance imaging to compare adolescent AIDS orphans reared in institutions (N = 20) with a sex- and age-matched group of healthy adolescents reared in families (N = 20) in China using a voxel-based morphometry analysis. F ...[more]

PMID: 30640928

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Project description:BackgroundThe prevalence of depression is elevated in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to the general population, yet the reasons for this disparity remain unclear. While social deficits central to ASD may contribute to depression, it is uncertain whether social interaction behavior themselves or individuals' introspection about their social behaviors are more impactful. Although the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is frequently implicated in ASD, depression, and social functioning, it is unknown if it explains differences between ASD adults with and without co-occurring depression.MethodsThe present study contrasted observed vs. subjective perception of autism symptoms and social interaction assessed with both standardized measures and a lab task, in 65 sex-balanced (52.24% male) autistic young adults. We also quantified ACC and amygdala volume with 7-Tesla structural neuroimaging to examine correlations with self-reported depression and social functioning.ResultsWe found that ASD individuals with self-reported depression exhibited differences in subjective evaluations including heightened self-awareness of ASD symptoms, lower subjective satisfaction with social relations, and less perceived affiliation during the social interaction task, yet no differences in corresponding observed measures, compared to those without depression. Larger ACC volume was related to depression, greater self-awareness of ASD symptoms, and worse subjective satisfaction with social relations. In contrast, amygdala volume, despite its association with clinician-rated ASD symptoms, was not related to depression.LimitationsDue to the cross-sectional nature of our study, we cannot determine the directionality of the observed relationships. Additionally, we included only individuals with an IQ over 60 to ensure participants could complete the social task. We also utilized self-reported depression indices instead of clinically diagnosed depression, which may limit the comprehensiveness of the findings.ConclusionsOur approach highlights the unique role of subjective perception of autism symptoms and social interactions, beyond the observable manifestation of social impairment in ASD, in contributing to self-reported depression, with the ACC playing a crucial role. These findings imply possible heterogeneity of ASD concerning co-occurring depression. Using neuroimaging, we were able to demarcate depressive phenotypes co-occurring alongside autistic phenotypes.

Project description:IntroductionAn average of 17.5 Veterans died by suicide each day in 2021, highlighting the importance of research and prevention efforts aimed at suicide risk. Attentional processes have emerged as a possible predictor of suicide behaviors (SB), yet associated neural correlates remain understudied, particularly in the Veteran population.MethodsThe current study examines sustained and selective attention performance as indexed by the Ruff 2 & 7 Selective Attention Test and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) volume as they relate to SB in Veterans. A subset of Veterans also completed a structural magnetic resonance imaging protocol. Participants were grouped on history of suicidal ideation (SI), suicide attempt (SA), and no SB (HC).ResultsAnalyses from the Ruff 2 & 7 test showed that Veterans with a history of SA performed more slowly on Automatic Detection Speed (ADS) and Controlled Search Speed (CSS) compared to Veterans with SI and no SB. SI and SA group differences on ADS and CSS remained after Bonferroni correction, and CSS differences remained after controlling for depressive and anxious symptoms. There were no between-group differences on Ruff 2 & 7 Accuracy measures. When analyses were divided by sex, males with a history of SA performed more slowly than SI and HC on ADS and more slowly on CSS and Total Speed than males with a history of SI. Results remained significant after controlling for depressive and anxious symptoms. When Bonferroni corrections were applied, males with a history of SA performed more slowly on ADS, CSS, and Total Speed compared to males with a history of SI. Female Veterans with a history of SA performed more slowly than female HC on CSS only; however, these findings were no longer significant after controlling for depressive and anxious symptoms. No significant differences were found between female groups on ADS or Total Speed. Measures of left rostral ACC gray matter (GM) volume for the combined female and male Veteran sample were positively correlated with ADS and CSS scores in HC but not SA. Conversely, right rostral ACC GM volume negatively correlated with ADS and CSS scores in the SA group but not HC. Right rostral ACC white matter volume correlated positively with ADS and CSS in HC.DiscussionThese findings highlight associations between attention speed, ACC volume, and SB even after controlling for acute mood symptoms, in addition to emphasizing the importance of including sex in analyses.

Dataset Information

Effects of early adversity on the brain: Larger-volume anterior cingulate cortex in AIDS orphans.

Publications

Effects of early adversity on the brain: Larger-volume anterior cingulate cortex in AIDS orphans.

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