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Journal article
Neural correlates of cognitive control in women with a history of sexual violence suggest altered prefrontal cortical activity during cognitive processing
Women's health (London, England), v 18, 17455057221081326
Jan 2022
PMID: 35225075
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Women's experiences of sexual violence can be not only psychologically and physically traumatizing but may also have lasting effects on brain functions, including cognitive control relating to the inhibition and processing of emotion. Thus, the purpose of this pilot study is to explore underlying neural correlates of sexual violence's impact on cognitive control in women.
Thirty women (aged 21-30 years) participants underwent a quantitative survey along with an affect-congruent Go-NoGo task. Prefrontal activity was monitored using functional near-infrared spectroscopy, a portable neuroimaging technology. An analysis of variance tested for main effects of the condition (Go versus NoGo), group (sexual violence versus no prior sexual violence), and potential interactions.
Fifteen of 30 women reported a history of childhood (n = 5) and/or adult (n = 12) sexual violence. Those with sexual violence histories reported significantly higher depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress symptoms, as well as increased impulsivity compared to their peers. Behavioral performance did not differ between the groups; however, functional near-infrared spectroscopy data revealed a significant (group × condition) interaction in Optodes 13 and 16. Women with histories of sexual violence had a significantly lower response during the "NoGo" condition and a heightened response during the "Go" condition, in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
These results suggest altered prefrontal cortical activity during cognitive processing in women with a history of sexual violence, showing hypoactivity during response inhibition and hyperactivity to the positive stimuli. These findings have strong translational promise for innovative assessment and prevention of untoward effects among women with sexual violence.
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Details
- Title
- Neural correlates of cognitive control in women with a history of sexual violence suggest altered prefrontal cortical activity during cognitive processing
- Creators
- Laura Sinko (Corresponding Author) - Temple UniversityPaul Regier - Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of PennsylvaniaAdrian Curtin - Drexel UniversityHasan Ayaz - Drexel UniversityAnna Rose Childress - Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of PennsylvaniaAnne M Teitelman - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Women's health (London, England), v 18, 17455057221081326
- Publisher
- Sage
- Number of pages
- 13
- Grant note
- T32 DA028874 / NIDA NIH HHS R21 MH097583 / NIMH NIH HHS
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000765882600001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85125432492
- Other Identifier
- 991019168585204721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Obstetrics & Gynecology