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The brain at rest: Exploratory Neurophysiological Findings Among Men With Histories of Childhood Sexual Abuse

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Abstract

Purpose

There is a lack of research on childhood sexual abuse (CSA) experienced by men, with even less research examining long term neurophysiological repercussions. This study explored the neurophysiology of the brain at rest to examine the influence of CSA on resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) into adulthood.

Methods

RSFC was examined with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) within the default mode, salience and limbic networks in men with CSA histories, with and without post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; CSA + PTSD n = 7, CSA-PTSD n = 9), and men without a CSA history nor PTSD (n = 13).

Results

CSA + PTSD participants had increased functional connectivity (FC) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) from the default mode network seed compared to participants with CSA-PTSD. Both CSA groups showed significantly less FC in the striatal-thalamic circuits of the salience network than the control group. Similarly, the robust FC between the bilateral amygdalae and the mPFC that was notable in control participants, was not exhibited in participants who experienced CSA with or without PTSD histories.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that intrinsic neurophysiological differences in limbic, salience and default mode network connectivity are apparent even during a resting state between the groups of participants. This is preliminary evidence of long-term neurophysiological effects of CSA in men with PTSD, and even in those without. Importantly, these findings can validate the lived experiences of males with CSA histories and guide researchers and clinicians to potential avenues to support their well-being.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a team grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (610738-190799; Principal Investigator Dr. Christine Wekerle).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Carley Chiasson, Jessie Moorman, Elisa Romano, Zhuo Fang & Andra Smith

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  1. Carley Chiasson
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  2. Jessie Moorman
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  4. Zhuo Fang
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Correspondence to Carley Chiasson.

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Chiasson, C., Moorman, J., Romano, E. et al. The brain at rest: Exploratory Neurophysiological Findings Among Men With Histories of Childhood Sexual Abuse. Journ Child Adol Trauma 15, 1155–1164 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-022-00470-5

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