Ascertaining the neural basis of attachment disorder and oxytocin effect using fMRI

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25560386
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Childhood science (childhood environment science)
• Research Institution: University of Fukui
• Principal Investigator: TOMODA AKEMI 福井大学, 子どものこころの発達研究センター, 教授 (80244135)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): FUJISAWA TAKASHI 福井大学, 子どものこころの発達研究センター, 特命助教 (90434894) ; KUMAZAKI HIROKAZU 福井大学, 子どものこころの発達研究センター, 特命助教 (70445336)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 発達・環境 / 反応性愛着障害 / オキシトシン / 脳画像解析 / ｆMRI / 金銭報酬課題 / 線条体 / アタッチメント

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Childhood maltreatment, which markedly increases risk for psychopathology, is associated with structural and functional brain differences. Our earlier studies elucidated potential discernible effects on brain morphology of child abuse such as parental verbal abuse on gray matter volume or cortical thickness. Brain regions that process and convey the adverse sensory input of the abuse might be modified specifically by such experiences.
Using tasks with reading the mind in the eyes test while undergoing fMRI, we also examined whether neural activity during reward processing was altered, or not, in children and adolescents with reactive attachment disorder（RAD）. Significantly reduced activity in the putamen was observed in the RAD group compared to the typically developed group. The present results suggest that dopaminergic dysfunction occurred in the putamen in children and adolescents with RAD, potentially leading to a future risk of psychiatric disorders such as dependence.

Free Research Field

小児精神神経学、小児発達学