Long-term consequences of childhood maltreatment: altered amygdala functional connectivity

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

An analysis of the basic task effect across all subjects revealed significant activation in multiple brain regions, including bilateral amygdala, medial frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, thalamus, basal ganglia, and occipital lobe.

“An analysis of the basic task effect (emotion matching greater than shape matching) across all subjects revealed significant activation in multiple brain regions, including bilateral amygdala, medial frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, thalamus, basal ganglia, and occipital lobe.”

May combine two claims.

In the PPI analysis across all subjects, no regions exhibited positive connectivity with the amygdala, while many regions were negatively correlated (anticorrelated) with amygdala activation, including medial prefrontal gyrus, ACC, middle frontal gyrus, caudate, insula, posterior cingulate, parahippocampal gyrus, and thalamus.

“There were no regions that exhibited positive connectivity with the amygdala. However, many regions were negatively correlated (anticorrelated) with amygdala activation. These regions included medial prefrontal gyrus, ACC, middle frontal gyrus, caudate, insula, posterior cingulate, parahippocampal gyrus, and thalamus.”

• Also stated in: § Discussion · plain

  “The PPI analysis with all participants revealed a number of frontal and subcortical regions that showed negative correlations with amygdala activity.”

May combine two claims.

The maltreated group had lower accuracy than the comparison group for both shape matching and emotion matching.

“The maltreated group had lower accuracy than the comparison group for both shape (Mmal = 95.2%, SD = 6.5%; Mcomp = 97.6%, SD = 2.7%) and emotion matching (Mmal = 57.8%, SD = 20.4%; Mcomp= 68.8%, SD = 22.9%).”

• Also stated in: § Discussion · plain

  “Behaviorally, participants with a history of maltreatment were significantly less accurate during the task than the comparison group.”

May combine two claims.

In each region showing group differences in amygdala connectivity, the comparison group showed a negative correlation with the amygdala, while the maltreated group showed a positive correlation.

“In each of these regions, the comparison group showed a negative correlation with the amygdala, while the maltreated group showed a positive correlation.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Participants were more accurate in shape matching than in emotion matching.

“Participants were more accurate in shape matching (M = 96.5%, SD = 5.1%) than in emotion matching (M = 63.7%, SD = 22.3%).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

There were no significant group or interaction effects for response time.

“There were no significant group or interaction effects for response time.”

May combine two claims.

The PPI analysis revealed group differences in amygdala-hippocampal and parahippocampal connectivity, with positive connectivity for maltreated participants and negative connectivity for the comparison group.

“Finally, the PPI analysis revealed group differences in amygdala-hippocampal and parahippocampal connectivity, again with positive connectivity observed for maltreated participants and negative connectivity for the comparison group.”

May combine two claims.

The sample included adults with a history of substantiated childhood maltreatment (n = 33) and comparison adults (n = 38) who were well matched on demographic variables, all studied prospectively since childhood.

“The sample included adults with a history of substantiated childhood maltreatment (n = 33) and comparison adults (n = 38) who were well matched on demographic variables, all of whom have been studied prospectively since childhood.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Maltreatment was documented by Department of Human Services records and ruled out using the Maternal Maltreatment Classification Interview.

“Forty-four participants had a history of childhood maltreatment as documented by Department of Human Services (DHS) records; 43 adults had no history of maltreatment as documented by a lack of DHS records (See Table 1 for sample characteristics). In addition to examining records, maltreatment was ruled out using the Maternal Maltreatment Classification Interview (Cicchetti, Toth, & Manly, 2003).”

• cites Cicchetti, Toth, & Manly, 2003Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

The groups were not significantly different in income levels, education, internalizing, externalizing, or depression ratings.

“The groups were not significantly different in income levels, education, internalizing, externalizing, or depression ratings (See Table 1).”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The Maltreatment Classification System was used to classify the type and developmental timing of each report of substantiated maltreatment.

“The Maltreatment Classification System (MCS; Barnett, Manly, & Cicchetti, 1993) was used to classify the type and developmental timing of each report of substantiated maltreatment.”

• cites Barnett, Manly, & Cicchetti, 1993Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

All regions showing group differences in amygdala connectivity remained significant after controlling for sex, depression symptoms, and task accuracy, except the cluster in right middle frontal gyrus, which fell below the cluster threshold.

“All regions remained significant after controlling for sex, depression symptoms, and task accuracy, with the exception of the cluster in right middle frontal gyrus, which fell below the cluster threshold of 552mm3 (to 512 mm3).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The emotion-matching task has been found to robustly activate the amygdala.

“In the scanner, participants completed an emotion-matching task (Hariri, Bookheimer, & Mazziotta, 2000) that has been found to robustly activate the amygdala.”

• cites Hariri, Bookheimer, & Mazziotta, 2000Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

Negative amygdala-prefrontal connectivity parallels previous work, and it has been theorized that this inverse relationship reflects frontal, top-down regulation of amygdala reactivity.

“Negative amygdala-prefrontal connectivity parallels previous work (Gee et al., 2013; Hare et al., 2008; Hariri et al., 2000; Kim, Somerville, Johnstone, Alexander, & Whalen, 2003), and it has been theorized that this inverse relationship reflects frontal, top-down regulation of amygdala reactivity (Hariri, Mattay, Tessitore, Fera, & Weinberger, 2003; Kim, Loucks, et al., 2011).”

• cites Gee et al., 2013Not checked yet

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• cites Hariri et al., 2000Not checked yet

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• cites Kim, Loucks, et al., 2011Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

Maltreatment accounted for differences in neural activation even after controlling for behavior, suggesting that regardless of performance during emotion matching, the maltreated group experienced the task differently than the comparison group.

“However, maltreatment accounted for differences in neural activation even after controlling for behavior, suggesting that regardless of performance during emotion matching, the maltreated group experienced the task differently than the comparison group.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Gee and colleagues (2013) reported a developmental shift from positive amygdala-mPFC connectivity in childhood to negative connectivity in adulthood.

“Gee and colleagues (2013) reported a developmental shift from positive amygdala-mPFC connectivity in childhood to negative connectivity in adulthood.”

• cites Gee et al., 2013Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

The group connectivity from our adults matches this research, suggesting that when the mPFC was more active, amygdala activity decreased.

“The group connectivity from our adults matches this research, suggesting that when the mPFC was more active, amygdala activity decreased.”

May combine two claims.

Although the data cannot speak to causal directionality, the findings are consistent with the hypothesis of top-down frontal regulation.

“Although our data cannot speak to the causal directionality of this relationship, the findings are consistent with the hypothesis of top-down frontal regulation.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Previous research has identified hyperactive amygdala responsivity associated with childhood maltreatment.

“In particular, previous research has identified hyperactive amygdala responsivity associated with childhood maltreatment (e.g. Dannlowski et al., 2012).”

• cites Dannlowski et al., 2012Not checked yet

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Other risk factors may have contributed to amygdala alterations in both groups, making it challenging to detect differences unique to maltreatment.

“Therefore, it is possible that other risk factors contributed to amygdala alterations in both groups, making it challenging to detect differences unique to maltreatment.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

There is little consensus about the direction of effects in resting state connectivity networks, perhaps due to large heterogeneity in sample characteristics.

“However, there is little consensus about the direction of effects in these networks, perhaps due to large heterogeneity in sample characteristics.”

May combine two claims.

In a study with adolescents, Herringa and colleagues (2013) found that childhood maltreatment predicted reduced connectivity between the amygdala and vmPFC, but greater amygdala-dlPFC connectivity.

“In a study with adolescents, Herringa and colleagues (2013) found that childhood maltreatment predicted reduced connectivity between the amygdala and vmPFC, but greater amygdala-dlPFC connectivity.”

• cites Herringa et al., 2013Not checked yet

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Volumetric findings from the amygdala have been mixed, with some studies showing decreased volumes, others increased volumes, and at least two studies of adults reporting no difference between maltreatment and control groups.

“Volumetric findings from the amygdala have been more mixed, with some studies of maltreated adolescents showing decreased amygdala volumes (Edmiston et al., 2011) and others showing increased volumes (Mehta et al., 2009; Pechtel, Lyons-Ruth, Anderson, & Teicher, 2014); while at least two studies of adults have reported no difference in amygdala volumes between childhood maltreatment and control”

• cites Edmiston et al., 2011Not checked yet

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• cites Mehta et al., 2009Not checked yet

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• cites Andersen et al., 2008Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

The design of drawing both groups from similarly low-income, high-risk environments helps minimize the contribution of other forms of early adversity and comes closer to isolating the unique relationship between childhood maltreatment and brain development.

“This design helps minimize the contribution of other forms of early adversity and comes closer to isolating the unique relationship between childhood maltreatment and brain development.”

May combine two claims.

Results from this study suggested a positive relationship between a continuous measure of maltreatment (CTQ) and amygdala-prefrontal connectivity, but a negative association between CTQ scores and amygdala-insula connectivity.

“Specifically, results from this study suggested a positive relationship between a continuous measure of maltreatment (Child Trauma Questionnaire [CTQ]) and amygdala-prefrontal connectivity, but a negative association between CTQ scores and amygdala-insula connectivity.”

• cites Fonzo et al., 2013Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

Differences have also been found in reward processing regions such as the basal ganglia and in frontal regulatory regions, including mPFC.

“Differences have also been found in reward processing regions such as the basal ganglia (Dillon et al., 2009) and in frontal regulatory regions, including mPFC (Fonzo et al., 2013; Lim et al., 2015; Mueller et al., 2010; Van Harmelen et al., 2014).”

• cites Dillon et al., 2009Not checked yet

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• cites Fonzo et al., 2013Not checked yet

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• cites Mueller et al., 2010Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

A meta-analysis of maltreatment-related PTSD found smaller hippocampal volumes in adults with a history of childhood maltreatment, but not in children who had been maltreated.

“A meta-analysis of maltreatment-related PTSD found smaller hippocampal volumes in adults with a history of childhood maltreatment, but not in children who had been maltreated (Woon & Hedges, 2008).”

• cites Woon & Hedges, 2008Not checked yet

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May combine two claims.

A reliance on self-report alone may not capture the extent of maltreatment and may include substantial measurement error.

“However, a reliance on self-report alone may not capture the extent of maltreatment and may include substantial measurement error (Hardt & Rutter, 2004).”

• cites Hardt & Rutter, 2004Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Some prior studies have used healthy comparison groups that are not well-matched on socio-economic status or other demographic variables associated with maltreatment risk.

“Additionally, some prior studies have used healthy comparison groups that are not well-matched on socio-economic status (SES) or other demographic variables associated with maltreatment risk.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The importance of limbic and fronto-limbic circuits for emotion processing and regulation suggests they may be prime targets for long-term, downstream consequences of childhood maltreatment.

“The importance of these limbic and fronto-limbic circuits for emotion processing and regulation suggests they may be prime targets for long-term, downstream consequences of childhood maltreatment.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Although the dorsolateral and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex do not have direct structural connections with the amygdala, research suggests that these regions are also indirectly involved in regulation of the amygdala.

“Although the dorsolateral and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC, vlPFC) do not have direct structural connections with the amygdala, research suggests that these regions are also indirectly involved in regulation of the amygdala (Delgado, Nearing, LeDoux, & Phelps, 2008; Ochsner & Gross, 2005; Wager, Davidson, Hughes, Lindquist, & Ochsner, 2008).”

• cites Delgado, Nearing, LeDoux, & Phelps, 2008Not checked yet

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• cites Ochsner & Gross, 2005Not checked yet

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• cites Wager, Davidson, Hughes, Lindquist, & Ochsner, 2008Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Face stimuli came from a standardized set of emotional faces.

“Face stimuli came from a standardized set of emotional faces (Ekman & Friesen, 1976).”

• cites Ekman & Friesen, 1976Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The majority (70%) of participants in the maltreatment group experienced more than one type of maltreatment.

“The majority (70%) of participants in the maltreatment group experienced more than one type of maltreatment.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

All participants provided informed consent in compliance with the University of Rochester's Institutional Review Board.

“All participants provided informed consent in compliance with the University of Rochester’s Institutional Review Board.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Volumes were assessed for exclusion (censoring) based on motion exceeding one voxel of overall displacement from the first volume or one-half voxel from one volume to the next.

“Volumes were assessed for exclusion (censoring) based on the following parameters: 1) motion exceeding one voxel of overall displacement from the first volume in the series, or 2) motion exceeding one-half voxel from one volume to the next.”

May combine two claims.

Neglected children display difficulty discriminating between emotions, and physically abused children show a response bias for angry facial expressions.

“Differences also have been observed among maltreatment subtypes, with neglected children displaying difficulty discriminating between emotions, and physically abused children showing a response bias for angry facial expressions, requiring less perceptual information to recognize angry expressions (Pollak et al., 2000; Pollak, Messner, Kistler, & Cohn, 2009; Pollak & Kistler, 2002; Pollak & Sinha,”

• cites Pollak et al., 2000Not checked yet

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• cites Pollak, Messner, Kistler, & Cohn, 2009Not checked yet

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Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Measures of functional connectivity can provide a better understanding of how communication among networks of regions may be influenced by early life stress.

“Measures of functional connectivity can provide a better understanding of how communication among networks of regions may be influenced by early life stress.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Sixteen individuals participated but were excluded from the final sample of 71 for reasons including task accuracy, serious mental illness, structural brain anomalies, or excessive motion.

“Sixteen (16) individuals participated but were excluded from the final sample of 71 for the following reasons: task accuracy > 2 SDs below the mean on control trials (< 75.7% correct; 4 maltreated, 1 comparison); serious mental illness (2 maltreated; 1 schizophrenia, 1 bipolar disorder); structural brain anomalies (1 maltreated, 1 comparison); or excessive motion during the fMRI task (a minimum of”

May combine two claims.

Structural and functional connectivity of the amygdala and mPFC is related to efficient emotion regulation, fear conditioning and extinction.

“Structural and functional connectivity of the amygdala and mPFC is related to efficient emotion regulation, fear conditioning and extinction (Kim et al., 2011).”

• cites Kim et al., 2011Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

An additional 53 longitudinal participants were unable to participate for reasons including size/obesity, metal in body, incarceration, refusal or scheduling conflicts, pregnancy, or deceased.

“An additional 53 longitudinal participants were unable to participate for the following reasons: size/obesity (19), metal in body (6), incarceration (11), refusal or scheduling conflicts (14), pregnancy (1), or deceased (2).”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The amygdala and hippocampus are subcortical limbic structures involved in emotion and memory, and prefrontal regulatory regions include the orbital frontal cortex and medial prefrontal cortex.

“Of particular interest are the amygdala and the hippocampus, subcortical limbic structures involved in emotion and memory (LeDoux, 2000), and prefrontal regulatory regions, including the orbital frontal cortex (OFC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC; Etkin, Egner, & Kalisch, 2011).”

• cites LeDoux, 2000Not checked yet

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• cites Etkin, Egner, & Kalisch, 2011Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Data from resting state connectivity analyses has described a positive relationship between amygdala and the hippocampus/parahippocampal gyrus.

“However, data from resting state connectivity analyses has described a positive relationship between amygdala and the hippocampus/parahippocampal gyrus (Roy et al., 2009).”

• cites Roy et al., 2009Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Amygdala-dmPFC connectivity is positively correlated with anxiety.

“Additionally, previous data from both resting state and task-based functional connectivity have indicted that amygdala-dmPFC connectivity is positively correlated with anxiety (Kim, Gee, Loucks, Davis, & Whalen, 2011; Robinson, Charney, Overstreet, Vytal, & Grillon, 2012) and is associated with a higher inflammatory response to stress (Muscatell et al., 2015).”

• cites Kim, Gee, Loucks, Davis, & Whalen, 2011Not checked yet

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• cites Robinson, Charney, Overstreet, Vytal, & Grillon, 2012Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The model was run with and without covariates (sex, depression symptoms, task accuracy).

“Again, this model was run with and without covariates (sex, depression symptoms, task accuracy), with a voxel-wise significance threshold of p<.005 and a cluster threshold of 10 contiguous raw voxels (552 mm3).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Increased connectivity in the maltreated group could signify higher vigilance to the threatening aspect of the angry and fearful faces used in the task.

“Increased connectivity in the maltreated group could signify higher vigilance to the threatening aspect of the angry and fearful faces used in the task.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

The task may have comprised a fundamentally different experience for maltreated versus comparison participants, being more emotionally disturbing or stressful.

“Indeed, the task may have comprised a fundamentally different experience for maltreated versus comparison participants, being more emotionally disturbing or stressful.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Amygdala-dmPFC connectivity is associated with a higher inflammatory response to stress.

“Additionally, previous data from both resting state and task-based functional connectivity have indicted that amygdala-dmPFC connectivity is positively correlated with anxiety (Kim, Gee, Loucks, Davis, & Whalen, 2011; Robinson, Charney, Overstreet, Vytal, & Grillon, 2012) and is associated with a higher inflammatory response to stress (Muscatell et al., 2015).”

• cites Muscatell et al., 2015Not checked yet

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May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

Our data support the hypothesis that the association between affective stimuli and traumatic memories alters the subsequent interpretation of emotions following maltreatment, showing long-term alterations in the interaction between the hippocampus and amygdala during emotion processing.

“Our data support this hypothesis, showing long-term alterations in the interaction between the hippocampus and amygdala during emotion processing.”

• cites Pollak and colleagues (1998)Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Associations between childhood maltreatment and resting state connectivity of the amygdala and hippocampus have been mixed, with results showing both decreased and increased connectivity.

“Associations between childhood maltreatment and resting state connectivity of the amygdala and hippocampus have been mixed, with results showing both decreased (van der Werff et al., 2013) and increased (Dean et al., 2014) connectivity.”

• cites van der Werff et al., 2013Not checked yet

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• cites Dean et al., 2014Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The manner of interaction between the amygdala and hippocampus may be dependent on the nature of the cognitive function elicited by a task.

“The manner of interaction between the two regions may be dependent on the nature of the cognitive function elicited by a task.”

• cites Smith, Stephan, Rugg, & Dolan, 2006Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Connectivity between the amygdala and hippocampus has been shown to increase during emotional memory retrieval compared to the retrieval of memories without emotional valence.

“For instance, connectivity between the amygdala and hippocampus has been shown to increase during emotional memory retrieval compared to the retrieval of memories without emotional valence (Smith, Stephan, Rugg, & Dolan, 2006).”

• cites Smith, Stephan, Rugg, & Dolan, 2006Not checked yet

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Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Pollak and colleagues (1998) have argued that the association between affective stimuli and traumatic memories alters the subsequent interpretation of emotions following maltreatment.

“Pollak and colleagues (1998) have argued that the association between affective stimuli and traumatic memories alters the subsequent interpretation of emotions following maltreatment.”

• cites Pollak and colleagues (1998)Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

The current study provides further understanding of altered brain networks as a function of childhood maltreatment using functional connectivity analyses.

“Finally, the current study provides further understanding of altered brain networks as a function of childhood maltreatment using functional connectivity analyses.”

May combine two claims.

Both maltreated and comparison groups were assessed prospectively and did not rely on retrospective self-report.

“Second, both maltreated and comparison groups were assessed prospectively and did not rely on retrospective self-report.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Not all children who are maltreated go on to experience negative outcomes; many demonstrate remarkable resilience in the face of early adversity.

“Not all children who are maltreated go on to experience negative outcomes; in fact many demonstrate remarkable resilience in the face of early adversity (Cicchetti, 2013).”

• cites Cicchetti, 2013Not checked yet

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Increasing evidence suggests that the OFC, dmPFC, and dlPFC contribute to emotion processing and regulation, particularly through cognitive mechanisms such as reappraisal and attentional control.

“Increasing evidence suggests that the OFC, dmPFC, and dlPFC contribute to emotion processing and regulation, particularly through cognitive mechanisms such as reappraisal and attentional control (Banks, Eddy, Angstadt, Nathan, & Phan, 2007; Etkin et al., 2011; Ochsner & Gross, 2005).”

• cites Banks, Eddy, Angstadt, Nathan, & Phan, 2007Not checked yet

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• cites Etkin et al., 2011Not checked yet

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• cites Ochsner & Gross, 2005Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The vmPFC has been examined frequently in this context due to structural connections to the amygdala.

“We did not observe this effect in the vmPFC, which has been examined frequently in this context due to structural connections to the amygdala (Kim, Loucks, et al., 2011).”

• cites Kim, Loucks, et al., 2011Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

We cannot rule out the possibility of preexisting differences in brain structure and function that preceded maltreatment, including prenatal risks such as exposure to drugs or alcohol in utero.

“We cannot rule out the possibility of preexisting differences in brain structure and function that preceded maltreatment, including prenatal risks such as exposure to drugs or alcohol in utero.”

May combine two claims.

The current study highlights altered emotion circuitry and identifies a network of regions vulnerable to long-term effects of maltreatment.

“The current study highlights altered emotion circuitry and identifies a network of regions vulnerable to long-term effects of maltreatment.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The vlPFC has been found to activate in response to emotional distractors.

“The vlPFC (or inferior frontal gyrus) has been associated with cognitive control and response inhibition (Aron, Robbins, & Poldrack, 2014; Hampshire, Chamberlain, Monti, Duncan, & Owen, 2010; Levy & Wagner, 2011) and has been found to activate in response to emotional distractors (Yamasaki, LaBar, & McCarthy, 2002).”

• cites Yamasaki, LaBar, & McCarthy, 2002Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

We cannot be certain that we accounted for all relevant factors.

“Our design mitigates this confound by recruiting all participants from high-risk, low-SES backgrounds; however, we cannot be certain that we accounted for all relevant factors.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The vlPFC (or inferior frontal gyrus) has been associated with cognitive control and response inhibition.

“The vlPFC (or inferior frontal gyrus) has been associated with cognitive control and response inhibition (Aron, Robbins, & Poldrack, 2014; Hampshire, Chamberlain, Monti, Duncan, & Owen, 2010; Levy & Wagner, 2011) and has been found to activate in response to emotional distractors (Yamasaki, LaBar, & McCarthy, 2002).”

• cites Aron, Robbins, & Poldrack, 2014Not checked yet

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• cites Hampshire, Chamberlain, Monti, Duncan, & Owen, 2010Not checked yet

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• cites Levy & Wagner, 2011Not checked yet

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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Because a number of the longitudinal participants were unable to participate in our study, we did not get the full range of possible cases.

“Because a number of the longitudinal participants were unable to participate in our study, we did not get the full range of possible cases.”

May combine two claims.

The disrupted neural circuitry observed may help explain the differential response to emotionally salient stimuli and may contribute to the heightened risk for psychopathology in individuals with a history of childhood maltreatment.

“The disrupted neural circuitry observed may help explain the differential response to emotionally salient stimuli and may contribute to the heightened risk for psychopathology in individuals with a history of childhood maltreatment.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

We did not have measures of directionality between regions in the PPI analysis.

“Finally, in relation to the PPI analysis, it is worth repeating that we did not have measures of directionality between regions.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Fronto-limbic circuitry is likely to be just one of many neural systems affected by early trauma.

“Fronto-limbic circuitry is likely to be just one of many neural systems affected by early trauma.”

May combine two claims.

The evidence was correlational, and no causation can be inferred.

“Therefore, although we speculate about a top-down relationship between frontal regions and amygdala, the evidence was correlational, and no causation can be inferred.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Timing, chronicity, and type of maltreatment are all critical factors that likely shape neural development and behavioral outcomes.

“Timing, chronicity, and type of maltreatment are all critical factors that likely shape neural development and behavioral outcomes (e.g Cowell, Cicchetti, Rogosch, & Toth, 2015).”

• cites Cowell, Cicchetti, Rogosch, & Toth, 2015Not checked yet

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