Neurological changes in brain structure and functions among individuals with a history of childhood sexual abuse: A review

Lyzette Blanco; Liesl A Nydegger; Giselle Camarillo; Dennis R Trinidad; Emily Schramm; Susan L Ames

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.07.013

Neurological changes in brain structure and functions among individuals with a history of childhood sexual abuse: A review

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2015 Oct:57:63-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.07.013. Epub 2015 Aug 5.

Authors

Lyzette Blanco¹, Liesl A Nydegger², Giselle Camarillo², Dennis R Trinidad³, Emily Schramm⁴, Susan L Ames⁵

Affiliations

¹ School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, United States; University of California, Davis, CA, United States. Electronic address: lyzette.blanco@cgu.edu.
² Center for Aids Intervention Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, United States; University of California, Davis, CA, United States.
³ Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States; University of California, Davis, CA, United States.
⁴ Fred Finch Youth Center, Oakland, CA, United States; University of California, Davis, CA, United States.
⁵ School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, United States; University of California, Davis, CA, United States.

PMID: 26363666
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.07.013

Abstract

Objective: Review literature focused on neurological associations in brain structure among individuals with a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA).

Methodology: A review of literature examining physiological irregularities in brain structures of individuals with a history of CSA was conducted.

Results: Results revealed that a history of CSA was associated with irregularities in the cortical and subcortical regions of the brain. These irregularities have been recognized to contribute to various cognitive, behavioral, and psychological health outcomes later in life. Age of CSA onset was associated with differential neurological brain structures.

Conclusion: Mental and behavioral health problems such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, dissociative disorders, and sexual dysfunction are associated with CSA and may persist into adulthood. Research depicting the associations of CSA on neurological outcomes emphasizes the need to examine the biological and subsequent psychological outcomes associated with CSA. Early intervention is imperative for CSA survivors.

Keywords: Childhood sexual abuse; Cortical; Human behavior; Subcortical.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adult
Adult Survivors of Child Abuse*
Brain / physiopathology*
Child
Child Abuse, Sexual*
Humans
Mental Disorders / etiology*
Mental Disorders / physiopathology*