Childhood maltreatment interacts with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis negative feedback and major depression: effects on cognitive performance

Differential association between childhood trauma subtypes and neurocognitive performance in adults with major depression

BACKGROUND

Neurocognitive impairment is one of the prominent manifestations of major depressive disorder (MDD). Childhood trauma enhances vulnerability to developing MDD and contributes to neurocognitive dysfunctions. However, the distinct impacts of different types of childhood trauma on neurocognitive processes in MDD remain unclear.

METHODS

This study comprised 186 individuals diagnosed with MDD and 268 healthy controls. Childhood trauma was evaluated using the 28-item Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form. Neurocognitive abilities, encompassing sustained attention, vigilance, visual memory, and executive functioning, were measured by the Cambridge Neuropsychological Testing Automated Battery.

RESULTS

Multivariable linear regressions revealed that childhood trauma and MDD diagnosis were independently associated with neurocognitive impairment. Physical neglect was associated with impaired visual memory and working memory. MDD diagnosis is associated with working memory and planning. Interactive analysis revealed that physical/sexual abuse was associated with a high level of vigilance and that emotional neglect was linked with better performance on cognitive flexibility in MDD patients. Furthermore, childhood emotional abuse, physical abuse, and emotional neglect were revealed to be risk factors for developing early-onset, chronic depressive episodes.

CONCLUSION

Thus, specific associations between various childhood traumas and cognitive development in depression are complex phenomena that need further study.

Gender differences in the association between childhood maltreatment and the onset of major depressive disorder

BACKGROUND

Childhood maltreatment is widely acknowledged as a risk factor for developing major depressive disorders (MDDs) in adulthood. However, the influence of gender on age at MDD onset and the relationships between various forms of maltreatment remain unclear.

AIMS

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of gender on the relationship between childhood maltreatment and depressive disorder onset with regard to maltreatment severity, age at onset, and the correlation between different forms of maltreatment.

METHODS

Data for this study were derived from the Objective Diagnostic Marker and Personalized Intervention in MDD Patients (ODMPIM) study, a multi-center collaborative research project. The data used here include 1001 patients diagnosed with depressive disorder and 494 healthy participants. Childhood maltreatment levels were assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF).

RESULTS

Emotional abuse was correlated with physical abuse, and emotional neglect was correlated with physical neglect in the MDD patient population. Emotional abuse significantly contributed to early onset of MDD in both genders. Regarding gender differences, male patients with MDD experienced more severe physical abuse during childhood. The correlation between childhood sexual abuse and physical abuse was stronger among males than among females. Levels of physical abuse and neglect tended to be positively associated with the age of MDD onset. Gender is a moderator in the relationship between MDD onset age and childhood physical abuse or neglect.

CONCLUSIONS

Gender plays a role in certain aspects of the relationship between MDD and childhood maltreatment.