Neural mechanisms of sensory over-responsivity in youth with early caregiver-related adversity

Abstract

Abstract Sensory over-responsivity (SOR) is an impairing sensory processing challenge prevalent across a range of clinical and neurodevelopmental populations, as well as those with experiences of early caregiver-related adversity. Despite its prevalence and impairing nature, little research exists investigating SOR, and its distinct, underlying neural mechanisms, in early caregiver-related adversity. We examined SOR in children and adolescents ages 7–17 years old who were adopted from foster care (AFC; n = 31) and non-adopted comparisons (NAC; n = 26). Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we investigated neural activity and functional connectivity in response to mildly aversive auditory and tactile stimulation and its relationship to SOR. The AFC group had elevated SOR scores as well as greater activation in somatosensory cortex compared to NAC. Within the AFC group, those with lower SOR showed increased activation of subcortical (thalamus, amygdala, hippocampus) and cortical (pre- and post-central gyri, and cingulate gyrus) regions. In the AFC group, negative functional-connectivity was observed between prefrontal and sensory regions, across sensory regions, and between sensory regulation and sensory reactivity-related regions. While sensory-evoked activation results suggest that children with early caregiver-related adversity show some hyperactivity to aversive sensory stimulation, consistent with other clinical groups, connectivity analyses suggest additional, unique mechanisms of SOR. Furthermore, functional-connectivity results provide evidence that children with early caregiver-related adversity may develop compensatory mechanisms that contribute to resilience for SOR. Results help explain individual differences in SOR in youth with early caregiver-related adversity and suggest a potential neural basis for some resilience to more severe SOR in these youth.