Abstract:
This case report presents a comprehensive assessment of four maltreated adolescents, two half-siblings, and two non-identical twins to investigate the effects of complex childhood trauma on brain functioning. The study aimed to identify shared psychophysiological features in the electroencephalographic (EEG) data of these adolescents compared to database norms. Quantitative EEG, event-related potentials (ERPs), and their independent components were analyzed to examine alterations in patterns of electrical activity associated with psychopathology. In the half-sibling pair, enhanced P1 and N1 amplitudes were observed during the cued Go/NoGo task, while reduced N2 amplitude was present in the fraternal twins. The type of trauma also seems to affect EEG spectral distribution and higher-order cognitive processes, such as attention allocation and response inhibition (N2 wave). Specifically, physically abused and bullied adolescents showed reduced N2 amplitudes and lower alpha power in the posterior region. No significant differences were noted in the ERP-independent components for maltreated adolescents compared to norms. The analysis of these cases aimed to provide insights into the neurobiological substrates underlying the overlapping symptoms and syndromes of child maltreatment, which may aid in differential diagnosis and the development of targeted interventions for trauma-related psychopathology in adolescents.
摘要:
本病例报告对四名虐待青少年进行了全面评估,两个同父异母的兄弟姐妹,和两个异卵双胞胎研究复杂的童年创伤对大脑功能的影响。该研究旨在与数据库规范相比,在这些青少年的脑电图(EEG)数据中确定共享的心理生理特征。定量脑电图,事件相关电位(ERP),并分析了它们的独立成分,以检查与精神病理学相关的电活动模式的变化。在半兄弟姐妹中,在提示Go/NoGo任务期间观察到增强的P1和N1振幅,而在异卵双胞胎中N2振幅降低。创伤的类型似乎也会影响EEG频谱分布和高阶认知过程,如注意力分配和反应抑制(N2波)。具体来说,身体虐待和欺负的青少年在后部区域显示N2振幅降低和α功率降低。与规范相比,虐待青少年的ERP无关成分没有显着差异。对这些病例的分析旨在提供对儿童虐待重叠症状和综合征的神经生物学基础的见解,这可能有助于青少年创伤相关精神病理学的鉴别诊断和针对性干预措施的发展。