Adverse Childhood Experiences and Childhood Autobiographical Memory Disturbance

• NCJ Number: 220880
• Journal: Child Abuse & Neglect: The International Journal Volume: 31 Issue: 9 Dated: September 2007 Pages: 961-969
• Author(s): David W. Brown; Robert F. Anda; Valerie J. Edwards; Vincent J. Felitti; Shanta R. Dube; Wayne H. Giles
• Date Published: September 2007
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the relationship between childhood autobiographical memory disturbance (CAMD) and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

Abstract

The results indicated that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were associated with an increased likelihood of childhood autobiographical memory disturbance (CAMD). Respondents experiencing multiple forms of child maltreatment and related traumatic stressors were associated with an increased likelihood of autobiographical memory disturbances related to childhood. CAMD and ACEs are defined as common forms of child maltreatment and related traumatic stressors. The ACE score was used to measure cumulative exposure to traumatic stress during childhood. In a cross-sectional analysis, the relationship of the ACE score to the prevalence of CAMD was assessed. As the ACE score increased, the prevalence of CAMD increased in a graded scale for both men and women. Evidence from neurobiology and epidemiology suggests that early life stressors such as child maltreatment and related traumatic stressors may alter brain structure and function, resulting in possible long-term consequences. Of particular relevance to the results, was that the normal development of the hippocampus, which plays a role in memory storage and retrieval, might be vulnerable to the upregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis that occurs in maltreated children. Lower hippocampal volume has been observed among women who were sexually abused as children. The sample of 9,460 relatively healthy adults was evaluated for wellness care at a Southern California health maintenance organization between August 1995 and March 1996. Possible secular influences were examined. Logistic regression was used to obtain the adjusted relative odds of CAMD associated with increasing ACE score. Additional information on the prevalence of CAMD in population-based samples is needed. Further research is also needed that examines whether impaired memory is a marker for persons neurobiologically affected by ACEs. Tables, figure, references