Abstract
Children reared in institutional environments present emotional and cognitive affectations, as well as changes in the anatomy and functioning of certain cerebral areas, such as the prefrontal cortex. However, knowledge of the long run effect of these affectations remains scarce. Therefore, this study was designed to correlate the cortical electroencephalographic (EEG) and psychopathological parameters. Resting EEG from 10 institutionalized (IA) and 10 never-institutionalized adolescents (NIA) was obtained and this was parametrically correlated with the intensity of symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety. Results showed that the IA group showed higher indices of depression, anxiety and PTSD, accompanied by low relative power (RP) in the fast bands, high activity in the slow bands in frontal areas, and higher alpha2 RP in temporal areas. In addition, IA showed higher EEG-correlations among frontal areas but lower EEG-correlations among prefrontal, parietal and temporal areas in the gamma band. We also found correlations between the EEG parameters and psychopathological scores. These EEG findings can contribute to improve our understanding of how stress experienced early in life may impact the development of the cortex, and how this, in turn, may predispose individuals to develop psychiatric conditions.
Highlights
IntroductionSanz-Martin gregate care facility where round-the-clock professional supervision supplants the role of family-like caregivers [1]
Resting EEG from 10 institutionalized (IA) and 10 never-institutionalized adolescents (NIA) was obtained and this was parametrically correlated with the intensity of symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety
Considering that mood modulation depends on the integrity of the prefrontal cortex and its functional interaction with other, associated cortical areas, and that institutionalization has been associated with emotional alterations in children, the aim of the present study was to correlate prefrontal, parietal and temporal EEG activity with psychopathological symptoms in institutionalized adolescents compared to community-reared adolescents
Summary
Sanz-Martin gregate care facility where round-the-clock professional supervision supplants the role of family-like caregivers [1]. In this model of child-rearing, children and adolescents remain in a space of a closed or restricted character (i.e., no contact with family or community) [1]. Some reports show that the level of stimulation is insufficient for the optimal development of various emotional and cognitive functions [4] [5]. Worse yet, this deprivation can aggravate the consequences of the stress that these children may have suffered in their birth families
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