Exposure to early and persistent maternal depression impairs the neural basis of attachment in preadolescence

Publication date: Available online 12 March 2019Source: Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological PsychiatryAuthor(s): Maayan Pratt, Maor Zeev-Wolf, Abraham Goldstein, Ruth FeldmanAbstractMaternal depression increases child vulnerability to psychopathology, loneliness, and social maladjustment; yet, its long-term effects on the social brain are unknown. In this prospective longitudinal study we examined the impact of early and persistent maternal depression on the neural basis of attachment in preadolescence. A community cohort was followed in two groups; children exposed to maternal depression from birth to 6 years and healthy controls. At 9 months and 6 years, mother-child interactions were coded for maternal sensitivity and affect synchrony and salivary oxytocin levels were assessed at 6 years. At preadolescence (11–13 years), children underwent magnetoencephalography(MEG) while exposed to own versus unfamiliar mother-child interaction. Own interaction elicited greater response in beta- and gamma-band oscillations across a wide cluster in temporal and insular cortices, including the Superior Temporal Sulcus, Superior Temporal Gyrus, Inferior Temporal Gyrus, and insula. Beta activations were predicted by maternal sensitivity across early childhood and gamma by affect synchrony. Oxytocin linked with beta response to social cues. Maternal depression impacted child's brain response in two ways. First, maternal depression significantly increased the preval...

Source: Progress in Neuro Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry - March 14, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research