Effects of early life stress on depression, cognitive performance and brain morphology.
Childhood early life stress (ELS) increases risk of adulthood major depressive disorder (MDD) and is associated with altered brain structure and function. It is unclear whether specific ELSs affect depression risk, cognitive function and brain structure.



This cross-sectional study included 64 antidepressant-free depressed and 65 never-depressed individuals. Both groups reported a range of ELSs on the Early Life Stress Questionnaire, completed neuropsychological testing and 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Neuropsychological testing assessed domains of episodic memory, working memory, processing speed and executive function. MRI measures included cortical thickness and regional gray matter volumes, with a priori focus on the cingulate cortex, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), amygdala, caudate and hippocampus.



Of 19 ELSs, only emotional abuse, sexual abuse and severe family conflict independently predicted adulthood MDD diagnosis. The effect of total ELS score differed between groups. Greater ELS exposure was associated with slower processing speed and smaller OFC volumes in depressed subjects, but faster speed and larger volumes in non-depressed subjects. In contrast, exposure to ELSs predictive of depression had similar effects in both diagnostic groups. Individuals reporting predictive ELSs exhibited poorer processing speed and working memory performance, smaller volumes of the lateral OFC and caudate, and decreased cortical thickness in multiple areas including the insula bilaterally. Predictive ELS exposure was also associated with smaller left hippocampal volume in depressed subjects.



Findings suggest an association between childhood trauma exposure and adulthood cognitive function and brain structure. These relationships appear to differ between individuals who do and do not develop depression.
The Center for Cognitive Medicine,Department of Psychiatry,Vanderbilt University Medical Center,Nashville, TN 37212,USA.
A
A
Saleh
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,Duke University Medical Center,Durham, NC 27710,USA.
G G
GG
Potter
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,Duke University Medical Center,Durham, NC 27710,USA.
D R
DR
McQuoid
The Center for Cognitive Medicine,Department of Psychiatry,Vanderbilt University Medical Center,Nashville, TN 37212,USA.
B
B
Boyd
The Center for Cognitive Medicine,Department of Psychiatry,Vanderbilt University Medical Center,Nashville, TN 37212,USA.
R
R
Turner
Department of Radiology,Duke University Medical Center,Durham, NC 27710,USA.
J R
JR
MacFall
The Center for Cognitive Medicine,Department of Psychiatry,Vanderbilt University Medical Center,Nashville, TN 37212,USA.
W D
WD
Taylor
D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse; D000069586:Adult Survivors of Child Adverse Events; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D054541:Family Conflict; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D055815:Young Adult
Brain volumes; depression; magnetic resonance imaging; neuropsychological testing; trauma
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