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Effects of early life stress on depression, cognitive performance and brain morphology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 September 2016

A. Saleh ,
G. G. Potter ,
D. R. McQuoid ,
B. Boyd ,
R. Turner ,
J. R. MacFall  and
W. D. Taylor
A. Saleh
Affiliation:
The Center for Cognitive Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
G. G. Potter
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
D. R. McQuoid
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
B. Boyd
Affiliation:
The Center for Cognitive Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
R. Turner
Affiliation:
The Center for Cognitive Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
J. R. MacFall
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
W. D. Taylor*
Affiliation:
The Center for Cognitive Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA The Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC), Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
*
*Address for correspondence: W. D. Taylor, M.D., M.H.Sc., Vanderbilt University, 1601 23rd Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212, USA. (Email: warren.d.taylor@vanderbilt.edu)
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Abstract

Background

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.

Method

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.

Results

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.

Conclusions

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.

Keywords

Brain volumesdepressionmagnetic resonance imagingneuropsychological testingtrauma
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 47 , Issue 1 , January 2017 , pp. 171 - 181
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

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