Alterations in fear learning as a mechanism linking childhood exposure to violence with PTSD symptoms: a longitudinal study

Psychological Medicine, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 9

Published: Sept. 9, 2024

Abstract Background Fear learning is a core component of conceptual models how adverse experiences may influence psychopathology. Specifically, existing theories posit that childhood involving trauma are associated with altered fear processes, while deprivation not. Several studies have found acquisition in youth exposed to trauma, but not deprivation, although the specific patterns varied across studies. The present study utilizes longitudinal sample children variability adversity examine associations among learning, and psychopathology youth. Methods includes 170 youths aged 10–13 years ( M = 11.56, s.d. 0.47, 48.24% female). Children completed conditioning task skin conductance responses (SCR) were obtained, which included both extinction. Childhood severity measured using parent report. Symptoms anxiety, externalizing problems, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assessed at baseline again two-years later. Results Greater trauma-related greater SCR threat cue (CS+) relative safety (CS−) early acquisition, controlling for age, sex. Deprivation was unrelated learning. during increased PTSD symptoms over time mediated relationship between prospective changes symptoms. Conclusions youth, be one mechanism linking exposure violence emergence adolescence.

Language: Английский

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Effects of Early Maternal Care on Anxiety and Threat Learning in Adolescent Nonhuman Primates

Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 71, P. 101480 - 101480

Published: Nov. 23, 2024

Early life adverse experiences, including childhood maltreatment, are major risk factors for psychopathology, anxiety disorders with dysregulated fear responses. Consistent human studies, maltreatment by the mother (MALT) leads to increased emotional reactivity in rhesus monkey infants. Whether this persists and results altered emotion regulation, due enhanced learning or impaired utilization of safety signals as shown stress-related disorders, is unclear. Here we used a model MALT examine long-term effects on state threat/safety 25 adolescents, using conditioning paradigm (AX+/BX-) acoustic startle amplitude peripheral measure. The AX+/BX- measures baseline startle, fear-potentiated cue discrimination, attenuation signals, extinction. Baseline was higher animals, suggesting elevated anxiety. No differences threat learning, discrimination were detected. However, animals showed generalized blunted responses conditioned cue, regardless presence transfer test, took longer extinguish spontaneously recovered threat. These findings suggest caregiving experiences have impacts adolescent responses, consistent reports children exposure.

Language: Английский

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Return of fear following extinction in youth: An event‐related potential study

Developmental Psychobiology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 63(7)

Published: Sept. 14, 2021

Abstract The ability to learn differentiate safety from danger matures gradually, particularly when such learning occurs over an extended time period. And yet, most research on fear examines the early phases of and mainly in adults. current study examined conditioning extinction, as well one form learning, return (ROF). Thirty‐three typically developing children (age range: 7–14 years) completed extinction; self‐reports psychophysiological indices were measured at this point. Two weeks later, a ROF test ( n = 23), event‐related potentials (ERPs) recorded. Results indicated successful acquisition extinction. Moreover, participants reported greater conditioned stimulus (CS+) than (CS–) 2 later. In electrophysiology data, manifested larger late positive potential (LPP) response CS+ CS–. Finally, these differences LPP responses positively correlated with poorer by GSR earlier. This is first ERP demonstrate children. measure may index interplay between inhibitory excitatory brain‐related processes underlying long‐term effects learning.

Language: Английский

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Parent–child physiological concordance predicts stronger observational fear learning in children with a less secure relationship with their parent

Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 226, P. 105553 - 105553

Published: Oct. 3, 2022

Language: Английский

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A partner's smile is not per se a safety signal: Psychophysiological response patterns to instructed threat and safety

Psychophysiology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 60(6)

Published: Feb. 22, 2023

Abstract Recent studies on fear conditioning and pain perception suggest that pictures of loved ones (e.g., a romantic partner) may serve as prepared safety cue is less likely to signal aversive events. Challenging this view, we examined whether smiling or angry are better threat cues. To end, 47 healthy participants were verbally instructed specific facial expressions happy faces) electric shocks others faces). When images served cues, they elicited distinct psychophysiological defensive responses increased ratings, startle reflex, skin conductance responses) compared viewing Interestingly, effects occurred regardless the person who cued shock (partner vs. unknown) their expression (happy angry). Taken together, these results demonstrate flexible nature information (i.e., identity) be easily learned signals for safety, even when showing ones.

Language: Английский

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