title: Neurological changes in brain structure and functions among individuals with a history of childhood sexual abuse: A review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Review literature focused on neurological associations in brain structure among individuals with a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA).
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of literature examining physiological irregularities in brain structures of individuals with a history of CSA was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results revealed that a history of CSA was associated with irregularities in the cortical and subcortical regions of the brain. These irregularities have been recognized to contribute to various cognitive, behavioral, and psychological health outcomes later in life. Age of CSA onset was associated with differential neurological brain structures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mental and behavioral health problems such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, dissociative disorders, and sexual dysfunction are associated with CSA and may persist into adulthood. Research depicting the associations of CSA on neurological outcomes emphasizes the need to examine the biological and subsequent psychological outcomes associated with CSA. Early intervention is imperative for CSA survivors.
authors.affiliation: School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, United States; University of California, Davis, CA, United States. Electronic address: lyzette.blanco@cgu.edu.
authors.forename: Lyzette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.affiliation: Center for Aids Intervention Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, United States; University of California, Davis, CA, United States.
authors.forename: Liesl A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Nydegger
authors.affiliation: Center for Aids Intervention Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, United States; University of California, Davis, CA, United States.
authors.forename: Giselle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Camarillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States; University of California, Davis, CA, United States.
authors.forename: Dennis R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Trinidad
authors.affiliation: Fred Finch Youth Center, Oakland, CA, United States; University of California, Davis, CA, United States.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schramm
authors.affiliation: School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, United States; University of California, Davis, CA, United States.
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ames
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Childhood sexual abuse; Cortical; Human behavior; Subcortical