The synergetic effect of childhood trauma and recent stressful events in psychosis: associated neurocognitive dysfunction

• Published in: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica Vol. 141; no. 1; pp. 43 - 51
• Main Authors: Ayesa‐Arriola, R., Setién‐Suero, E., Marques‐Feixa, L., Neergaard, K., Butjosa, A., Vázquez‐Bourgon, J., Fañanás, L., Crespo‐Facorro, B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.01.2020
• Subjects: Adult; Adverse childhood experiences; Adverse Childhood Experiences - psychology; Case-Control Studies; Child; Child Abuse - psychology; Child Abuse, Sexual - psychology; childhood trauma; Children; Cognition; Cognitive ability; Cognitive Dysfunction - psychology; cognitive function; Death; Divorce - psychology; Executive function; Female; first episode psychosis; Humans; Male; Memory; Memory, Short-Term; Neuropsychological Tests; Psychological Trauma - psychology; Psychosis; Psychotic Disorders - psychology; recent stressful events; Short term memory; Stress, Psychological - psychology; Trauma; Young Adult; cognitive function; childhood trauma; recent stressful events; first episode psychosis
• ISSN: 0001-690X; 1600-0447
• DOI: 10.1111/acps.13114

Background A higher incidence of childhood trauma (CT) has been reported in first episode of psychosis (FEP). There is, however, a lack of knowledge about the synergetic effect between CT and recent stressful events (RSE). Methods Information on specific types of CT (under 17 years) and RSE (within the past 3 years) was available for 290 FEP patients and 52 healthy controls (HC). Cognitive function at baseline was assessed through a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. Results While 45.2% of FEP patients and 25% of HC reported at least one CT event, 62.7% of FEP and 21.2% of HC reported an RSE. Meanwhile, 36.2% of FEP patients and 9.6% of HC encountered both childhood and recent stressful events. The patients that just reported CT showed normality in all but the verbal memory cognitive domain; those with additive CT and RSE presented worse general cognitive function, specifically on working memory, processing speed, and executive function. RSE and general cognitive dysfunction were significant determinants of psychosis onset. Conclusions These results support a synergetic influence of trauma and stressful events on brain function and allow a better understanding of mediators for psychotic disorders useful in the design of specific strategies based on stress‐targeted therapies.