Structural brain networks differ in adults with histories of childhood maltreatment. Using cortical thickness correlations across 112 brain regions, Teicher and colleagues identified distinct patterns of connectivity:
Reduced centrality of the left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) — fewer primary and secondary connections, suggesting weakened integration of emotional regulation and cognitive control.
Increased centrality of the right anterior insula — heightened salience and interoceptive awareness, possibly reflecting hypervigilance.
Increased centrality of the right precuneus — greater self-referential and rumination-related processing.
Together, these alterations suggest that early adversity shifts brain networks from regulatory balance toward salience and self-focus, predisposing individuals to stress dysregulation and addiction vulnerability.
