The association between early regulatory problems and adult peer relationship quality is mediated by the brain's allostatic‐interoceptive system

• DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.14033
• Publication Date: 2024-06-26T06:20:26Z
• Authors: Saša Zorjan; Dieter Wolke; Nicole Baumann; Christian Sorg; Satja Mulej Bratec
• Keywords: Association (psychology); Salience (neuroscience)

Background Early regulatory problems (RPs), i.e., with crying, sleeping, and/or feeding during the first years, increase risk for avoidant personality traits in adulthood, associated social withdrawal and anxiety. Even more, RPs are linked functional alterations adult default mode salience networks, comprising brain's allostatic‐interoceptive system (AIS) playing a role interactions. We investigated whether assessed infancy difficulties peer relationships mediated by of AIS. Methods As part large case‐controlled prospective study, 42 adults previous 70 matched controls (mean age = 28.48, SD 2.65, 51% male) underwent fMRI rest. The analysis focused on intrinsic connectivity (iFC) key nodes Peer relationship quality was via semi‐structured Life Course Interview YASR scale. In these same individuals, were at ages 5, 20 56 months. Results lower‐quality enhanced AIS stronger effect multiple persistent compared transient‐multiple or single‐persistent RPs. Importantly, iFC changes dorsal mid insula, primary interoceptive cortex frontal temporal regions, between early quality. Conclusions indicate long‐lasting neural Our findings further implicate both processes, while indicating need screening