Cumulative adversity and smaller gray matter volume in medial prefrontal, anterior cingulate, and insula regions
BACKGROUND: Cumulative adversity and stress are associated with risk of psychiatric
disorders. While basic science studies show repeated and chronic stress effects on
prefrontal and limbic neurons, human studies examining cumulative stress and effects on
brain morphology are rare. Thus, we assessed whether cumulative adversity is associated
with differences in gray matter volume, particularly in regions regulating emotion, self-
control, and top-down processing in a community sample. METHODS: One hundred three …
disorders. While basic science studies show repeated and chronic stress effects on
prefrontal and limbic neurons, human studies examining cumulative stress and effects on
brain morphology are rare. Thus, we assessed whether cumulative adversity is associated
with differences in gray matter volume, particularly in regions regulating emotion, self-
control, and top-down processing in a community sample. METHODS: One hundred three …
