Frontal Alpha Asymmetry in Children with Trauma Exposure

The purpose of the current study was to investigate differences in frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) between children (5-17 years) with or without histories of trauma exposure. EEG data were obtained from 165 children who participated in the Healthy Brain Network Initiative during rest with eyes open and closed. FAA during resting-state electroencephalography was significantly more negative in the trauma-exposed group, suggesting greater left lateralized FAA and avoidance-oriented motivation. Moreover, alpha suppression (difference in alpha amplitude between eyes open and eyes closed conditions) was marginally greater in the trauma-exposed group. The results suggest that early exposure to trauma may be associated with trait-level avoidance of environmental stimuli, which ultimately may be predictive of psychopathology, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Study findings thus provide preliminary evidence of brain-based mechanisms that may confer risk for PTSD in the wake of early trauma exposure.

Automated summary

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) between children with or without trauma exposure. The results showed that the trauma-exposed group had more negative FAA, indicating greater left lateralized FAA and avoidance-oriented motivation. In addition, alpha suppression was marginally greater in the trauma-exposed group. These findings suggest that early trauma exposure may be associated with avoidance of environmental stimuli, which could ultimately predict the development of psychopathology, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).