How do traumatic experiences alter our brain activity?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-11-02 02:00

International

Photo by Natasha Connell on Unsplash

Traumatic live experiences may alter our brain activity, according to a meta-analysis by international researchers. The team combined the results of 83 brain imaging studies investigating emotion processing, memory processing, inhibitory control, and reward processing changes in people who had experienced trauma. The studies involved a combined sample of over 5000 people, and the researchers say trauma was associated with altered brain reactivity in ways that could explain a diminished ability to cope with stress and higher susceptibility to mental illness. They say the association was only observed in adults and was strongest for those who had experienced severe trauma.

Media release

From: JAMA

About The Study: In this meta-analysis of 83 neuroimaging studies of adversity exposure and brain function, prior adversity exposure was associated with altered adult brain reactivity to diverse challenges. These results might better identify how adversity diminishes the ability to cope with later stressors and produces enduring susceptibility to mental health problems.

Authors: Niki Hosseini-Kamkar, Ph.D., of the Royal Ottawa Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, is the corresponding author.

Attachments

Note: Not all attachments are visible to the general public. Research URLs will go live after the embargo ends.

Research JAMA, Web page The URL will go live after the embargo ends

Journal/
conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, Canada

Funder: None reported

Media Contact/s

Contact details are only visible to registered journalists.