Life's hardships rewire the brain: Study pinpoints neural changes from adversity

Life's hardships rewire the brain: Study

pinpoints neural changes from adversity
By Vijay Kumar Malesu Nov 5 2023
Reviewed by Benedette Cuffari, M.Sc.

In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, researchers assess the link
between adverse life experiences and changes in brain reactivity using the
multilevel kernel density analysis (MKDA) method on task-based functional
magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies.

Study: Adverse Life Experiences and Brain Function: A Meta-Analysis of

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings. Image Credit: Tushchakorn /
Shutterstock.com

Background
Negative life experiences can alter brain functions, thereby increasing the risk
of mental illnesses. The main brain regions affected include the prefrontal
cortex (PFC), amygdala, and hippocampus.

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Life's hardships rewire the brain: Study pinpoints neural changes from adversity

While animal studies confirm this, human data is variable due to differences in
defining adversity, measuring its impact, and diverse study methods. Variability
also arises from the use of different image acquisition and analysis techniques.

A meta-analysis using the MKDA method, which accounts for these variations,
provided more reliable insights than the activation likelihood estimation (ALE)
method. However, given the inconsistencies in human studies on brain
responses to adversity, further research is essential to understand long-term
neuroplastic changes from adverse experiences.

About the study

The present study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic
Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. Comprehensive
literature searches were performed across databases, including PsycINFO,
Medline, EMBASE, and Web of Science, until May 2022. Additional searches in
the Brainmap database and gray literature were also performed.

The search combined terms related to trauma, adversity, neuroimaging, and

various cognitive processes. Articles were selected based on specific criteria,
which led to the exclusion of conference abstracts, books, and certain other
types of publications.

From the initial 2,016 abstracts identified, 336 met the criteria for a more in-
depth review. Two reviewers assessed these articles, and a third reviewer
resolved any discrepancies.

Brain activation coordinate data were precisely extracted and verified. To

elucidate the diverse definitions of adversity across studies, these data were
categorized based on criteria like threat or deprivation and by adversity
severity.

For statistical analysis, the researchers extracted activation coordinates and

grouped them based on task type and participant groups. The MKDA method
was used to determine whether activations were consistent across studies.

Simulations were used to verify the authenticity of the findings. The data
analysis was conducted between August and November 2022 using specialized

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Life's hardships rewire the brain: Study pinpoints neural changes from adversity

software tools.

Study findings
In the comprehensive analysis of 83 studies comprising 5,242 participants,
significant variations in blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) responses were
observed in relation to adversity exposure. When the data from 67 studies was
examined, those exposed to adversity exhibited enhanced right amygdala
responses as compared to their counterparts. Comparatively, 47 other studies
showed that the adversity group displayed consistently diminished responses in
the medial frontal gyrus.

Of the 50 studies on emotion processing, the adversity-exposed group exhibited

heightened amygdala activity and reduced superior frontal gyrus activity. In 11
studies focused on inhibitory control, those who experienced adversity exhibited
increased activity in the claustrum, anterior cingulate cortex, and insula. No
difference was observed in studies about memory or reward-processing tasks.

When examining threats as adversity, there was amplified BOLD response in the
superior temporal gyrus and decreased medial frontal gyrus activity for the
adversity group. This pattern persisted across different task domains.

When mixed types of adversities were studied, individuals exposed to these

mixed adversities exhibited heightened activity across all domains in the right
amygdala, precuneus, and superior frontal gyrus. In studies focusing solely on
deprivation-type adversities, no significant results were reported, thus making
definitive conclusions challenging.

Individuals exposed to trauma-type adversities exhibited significantly greater

bilateral amygdala activation and reduced activity in areas like the medial
frontal gyrus and anterior cingulate cortex. Meanwhile, moderate adversities
were not associated with any significant associations.

The association between trauma and psychopathological conditions like post-

traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was also examined. To this end, individuals
diagnosed with PTSD exhibited significantly greater left amygdala activation but
diminished activity in regions like the hippocampus, orbitofrontal cortex, and
insula.

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Life's hardships rewire the brain: Study pinpoints neural changes from adversity

The study also considered developmental stages by categorizing participants

into adults, adolescents, and children. Adult data, which were extracted from 34
studies, revealed that adversity exposure during adulthood was associated with
increased right amygdala activation but decreased activity in the middle frontal
gyrus.

Conclusions
Individuals with a history of severe adversity have heightened amygdala
responses and reduced PFC reactions to psychological challenges. MKDA of 83
studies showed potential PFC impairment in regulating amygdala activity.

The amygdala, which is essential for threat detection, exhibited increased

activity as a PTSD biomarker. People with PTSD or those who experienced
severe adversities exhibited more robust amygdala and weaker PFC responses
across tasks.

Specific adversities increased insula and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) activity.
Traumatic adversities particularly enhanced amygdala activity.

Notably, individuals with PTSD exhibited significant left amygdala activity, which
contrasts with some earlier studies, and decreased activity in other brain
regions.

Journal reference:
Hosseini-Kamkar, N., Farahani, M. V., Nikolic, M., et al. (2023). Adverse Life
Experiences and Brain Function: A Meta-Analysis of Functional Magnetic
Resonance Imaging Findings. JAMA Network Open. doi:10.1001/jamanetw
orkopen.2023.40018

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Life's hardships rewire the brain: Study pinpoints neural changes from adversity

Written by

Vijay Kumar Malesu

Vijay holds a Ph.D. in Biotechnology and possesses a deep passion for microbiology.
His academic journey has allowed him to delve deeper into understanding the
intricate world of microorganisms. Through his research and studies, he has gained
expertise in various aspects of microbiology, which includes microbial genetics,
microbial physiology, and microbial ecology. Vijay has six years of scientific research
experience at renowned research institutes such as the Indian Council for Agricultural
Research and KIIT University. He has worked on diverse projects in microbiology,
biopolymers, and drug delivery. His contributions to these areas have provided him
with a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter and the ability to tackle
complex research challenges.

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