Childhood trauma and being at-risk for psychosis are associated with higher peripheral endocannabinoids

AbstractBackgroundEvidence has been accumulating regarding alterations in components of the endocannabinoid system in patients with psychosis. Of all the putative risk factors associated with psychosis, being at clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR) has the strongest association with the onset of psychosis, and exposure to childhood trauma has been linked to an increased risk of development of psychotic disorder. We aimed to investigate whether being at-risk for psychosis and exposure to childhood trauma were associated with altered endocannabinoid levels.MethodWe compared 33 CHR participants with 58 healthy controls (HC) and collected information about previous exposure to childhood trauma as well as plasma samples to analyse endocannabinoid levels.ResultsIndividuals with both CHR and experience of childhood trauma had higher N-palmitoylethanolamine (p < 0.001) and anandamide (p < 0.001) levels in peripheral blood compared to HC and those with no childhood trauma. There was also a significant correlation between N-palmitoylethanolamine levels and symptoms as well as childhood trauma.ConclusionsOur results suggest an association between CHR and/or childhood maltreatment and elevated endocannabinoid levels in peripheral blood, with a greater alteration in those with both CHR status and history of childhood maltreatment compared to those with either of those risks alone. Furthermore, endocannabinoid levels increased linearly with the number of risk factors and elevated endocannabinoid levels correlated with the severity of CHR symptoms and extent of childhood maltreatment. Further studies in larger cohorts, employing longitudinal designs are needed to confirm these findings and delineate the precise role of endocannabinoid alterations in the pathophysiology of psychosis.

Download Full-text

The Role of Maternal Self-efficacy in the Link Between Childhood Maltreatment and Maternal Stress During Transition to Motherhood

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/08862605211042871 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 088626052110428

Author(s):

Gabriella Bentley ◽

Osnat Zamir

Keyword(s):

Childhood Abuse ◽

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

Parental Stress ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Self Report ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

History Of Childhood ◽

Transition To Motherhood ◽

History Of

The transition to motherhood is a significant developmental milestone in many women’s lives. This transitional period may be more stressful for women with a history of childhood maltreatment (CM) than for women without such a history. This study tested whether parental self-efficacy (PSE) accounts for the link between CM and parental stress in mothers transitioning to motherhood. The study used a convenience sample of 1,306 first-time mothers of children aged two years or younger. Mothers filled out online self-report questionnaires assessing history of CM, PSE, and prenatal stress. Consistent with the hypotheses, exposure to CM was directly associated with greater parental stress. Also, PSE partially mediated the associations between CM and parental stress, such that mothers with a history of childhood abuse reported a lower level of PSE, which in turn was associated with greater parental stress. In conclusion, the study highlights the important role of negative cognitions related to parenting for maternal dysfunction following exposure to childhood abuse. These findings suggest a need to incorporate preventive interventions designed to promote PSE for mothers exposed to CM. Such programs may alleviate parental stress and further support the healthy development of the child.

Download Full-text

Rethinking childhood adversity in chronic fatigue syndrome

10.7287/peerj.preprints.1571v1 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

James E Clark ◽

Sean Davidson ◽

Laura Maclachlan ◽

Megan Lynn ◽

Julia L Newton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽

Childhood Trauma ◽

Childhood Adversity ◽

Chronic Fatigue ◽

Childhood Trauma Questionnaire ◽

History Of Childhood ◽

Fatigue Syndrome ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Co Morbidity ◽

History Of

Objectives: Previous studies have consistently shown increased rates of childhood adversity in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). However, such aetiopathogenic studies of CFS are potentially confounded by co-morbidity and misdiagnosis particularly with depression. We used a modelling approach with existing data and data generated in our examination of the rates of childhood adversity in a sample of CFS patients who had no lifetime history of depression. Methods: The childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ) was completed by a sample of 52 participants and 19 controls with chronic fatigue syndrome who did not meet criteria for a psychiatric disorder (confirmed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV). Subsequently, Mediation Analysis (Baye’s Rules) was used to establish the risk childhood adversity poses for CFS with and without depression. Results: In a cohort of CFS patients with depression robustly excluded, CTQ scores were markedly lower than in all previous studies and, in contrast to these previous studies, not increased compared with healthy controls. Post-hoc analysis showed that CTQ scores correlated with the number of depressive symptoms during the lifetime worst period of low mood. The probability of developing CFS given a history of childhood trauma was shown to be 4%, a two-fold increased risk compared to the general population. However, much of this risk is mediated by the concomitant development of major depression. Discussion: The data suggests that previous studies showing a relationship between childhood adversity and CFS may be mediated by depression

Download Full-text

Evaluation of Hypercholesterolemia in Childhood

Pediatrics in Review ◽

10.1542/pir.17.3.94 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 94-97

Author(s):

Thomas J. Starc ◽

Richard J. Deckelbaum

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

At Risk ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Family History ◽

Direct Proof ◽

Children At Risk ◽

History Of

For many adults, the risk of atherosclerosis can be reduced by intervention and treatment of known risk factors. Direct proof that similar intervention will be effective in children is not available. However, evidence suggests that prevention beginning in childhood will lead to a decrease in incidence of heart disease later in life. The majority of families are eager to take steps to prevent heart disease in their children, especially if there is a family history of early heart disease. It is the role of the pediatrician to identify those children at risk for early heart disease and to initiate advice on reducing risk factors.

Download Full-text

Childhood Trauma and Cortisol Response to the Trier Social Stress Test in Symptomatic Patients with Eating Disorders

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.286 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S91-S91

Author(s):

F. Marciello ◽

V.-M. Buonomenna ◽

V. Caivano ◽

G. Cascino ◽

G. D’Agostino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Childhood Trauma ◽

Hpa Axis ◽

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

Social Stress ◽

Stress Test ◽

Trauma Exposure ◽

Trier Social Stress Test ◽

Cortisol Response ◽

History Of Childhood ◽

History Of

IntroductionChildhood trauma exposure is associated with the risk of eating disorders (EDs) in adulthood. The biological basis of this link may involve a persistent dysregulation of the endogenous stress response system, in particular the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, as a consequence of early life maltreatment.ObjectiveAdult patients with EDs and history of childhood trauma may have a dysregulation of the HPA axis that could be different from EDs patients without childhood trauma exposure.AimsIn order to assess the effects of childhood trauma experiences on HPA-axis activity in EDs, we compared the salivary cortisol response to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) of adult patients with EDs according to their history of childhood trauma.MethodTwenty-seven EDs patients and 13 healthy women participated in the study. Salivary cortisol responses during exposure to the TSST was measured. Participants also completed the childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ) and eating-related psychopathological rating scales.ResultsAccording to CTQ, 15 individuals with EDs reported childhood maltreatment whereas 12 EDs patients and all the healthy women did not experience childhood maltreatment. Compared with the control group, non-maltreated EDs patient group exhibited a slightly enhanced cortisol response to TSST, whereas the group of non-maltreated EDs patients showed a normal cortisol response. Moreover, EDs patients with childhood maltreatment exhibited statistically significant blunting of cortisol compared to non-maltreated ones.ConclusionsThe present findings support the evidence that, in patients with EDs, there is a dysregulation of HPA-axis activity and that childhood trauma exposure may contribute to this dysregulation.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Download Full-text

Rethinking childhood adversity in chronic fatigue syndrome

10.7287/peerj.preprints.1571 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

James E Clark ◽

Sean Davidson ◽

Laura Maclachlan ◽

Megan Lynn ◽

Julia L Newton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽

Childhood Trauma ◽

Childhood Adversity ◽

Chronic Fatigue ◽

Childhood Trauma Questionnaire ◽

History Of Childhood ◽

Fatigue Syndrome ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Co Morbidity ◽

History Of

Download Full-text

Suicide Probability in Adolescents With a History of Childhood Maltreatment: The Role of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury, Emotion Regulation Difficulties, and Forms of Self-Criticism

international journal high risk behaviors & addiction ◽

10.5812/ijhrba.23675 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hamid Khanipour ◽

Mitra Hakim shooshtari ◽

Reza Bidaki

Keyword(s):

Emotion Regulation ◽

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

History Of Childhood ◽

Self Injury ◽

History Of

Download Full-text

Childhood trauma: A factor for increased risk of major depression in psoriatic patients

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.707 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S526-S527

Author(s):

M. Erfanian

Keyword(s):

Nervous System ◽

Major Depression ◽

Childhood Trauma ◽

Hpa Axis ◽

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

Life Stress ◽

Early Life Stress ◽

Childhood Trauma Questionnaire ◽

Increased Risk ◽

History Of

A history of childhood maltreatment (CM) is an important determinant for understanding the development of psychiatric and physical disorders. CM is associated with sensitization of central nervous system (CNS) that leads to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis [1]. Early life stress is a well-known contributor to major depression [2]. The dysregulation of HPA axis and sympathetic nervous system activity also impact skin. Epidermis shows a high vulnerability to such psychological stressors resulting to increase risk for psoriasis [3]. The current study investigates the association between childhood trauma and major depression, childhood trauma and psoriasis, and also severity of major depression in female and male patients with psoriasis. Sixty-four psoriatic patients (female = 34, mean age = 46.87) were evaluated with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) for the history of CM and with the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview for the diagnosis of major depression. CM was associated with major depression, indexed by a higher CTQ in emotional (χ2(3) = 26.002, P < .0005) and physical abuse scores (χ2(3) = 23.764, P < .0005). CM limited to sexual abuse was associated with higher severity of psoriasis (χ2(3) = 9.81, P < .02). There was no indication of a difference between men and women in severity of major depression (U = 444, P = .304). Our findings highlight the importance of recognizing psychiatric comorbidity, in particular major depression, among psoriatic patients. Depressive disorder with the presence of psoriasis may constitute a separate etiology with a greater contribution of early environment.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.

Download Full-text

Childhood maltreatment and transition to psychotic disorder independently predict long-term functioning in young people at ultra-high risk for psychosis

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s003329171500135x ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 45 (16) ◽

pp. 3453-3465 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

A. R. Yung ◽

J. Cotter ◽

S. J. Wood ◽

P. McGorry ◽

A. D. Thompson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

High Risk ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Psychotic Disorder ◽

Childhood Maltreatment ◽

History Of Childhood ◽

Ultra High Risk ◽

History Of

Background.Individuals identified as at ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis are at risk of poor functional outcome regardless of development of psychotic disorder. Studies examining longitudinal predictors of poor functioning have tended to be small and report only medium-term follow-up data. We sought to examine clinical predictors of functional outcome in a long-term longitudinal study.Method.Participants were 268 (152 females, 116 males) individuals identified as UHR 2–14 years previously. A range of clinical and sociodemographic variables were assessed at baseline. Functioning at follow-up was assessed using the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS).Results.Baseline negative symptoms, impaired emotional functioning, disorders of thought content, low functioning, past substance use disorder and history of childhood maltreatment predicted poor functioning at follow-up in univariate analyses. Only childhood maltreatment remained significant in the multivariate analysis (p < 0.001). Transition to psychosis was also significantly associated with poor functioning at long-term follow-up [mean SOFAS score 59.12 (s.d. = 18.54) in the transitioned group compared to 70.89 (s.d. = 14.00) in the non-transitioned group, p < 0.001]. Childhood maltreatment was a significant predictor of poor functioning in both the transitioned and non-transitioned groups.Conclusions.Childhood maltreatment and transition to psychotic disorder independently predicted poor long-term functioning. This suggests that it is important to assess history of childhood maltreatment in clinical management of UHR individuals. The finding that transition to psychosis predicts poor long-term functioning strengthens the evidence that the UHR criteria detect a subgroup at risk for schizophrenia.

Download Full-text