Interaction Effect of Panic Disorder Diagnosis and Early Trauma History on Cortical Gyrification Patterns

Objective Early trauma (ET) occurring during critical periods of brain development has been associated with structural brain alterations. ET history and structural brain changes have been linked to panic disorder (PD). Abnormalities in cortical gyrification patterns have been reported in both patients with PD and individuals with a history of ET. This study aimed to examine the interaction between ET history and PD diagnosis in relation to cortical gyrification patterns.Methods The study included 83 patients with PD and 83 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. High-resolution T1-weighted brain images were analyzed using vertex-based methods to evaluate the local gyrification index (LGI). ET history was assessed using the Early Trauma Inventory Self-Report Short Form. Anxiety symptomatology was evaluated using the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS).Results A significant interaction between PD diagnosis and ET history was observed in the LGI of the gyrus portion of the superior parietal lobule (SPL). Patients with PD who had experienced ET showed significantly higher LGI values in the SPL than those without ET. SPL LGI values were positively correlated with PDSS and IUS total scores across all participants.Conclusion These findings suggest an interaction effect of PD diagnosis and ET history on cortical gyrification alterations in the SPL. The results underscore the importance of considering both ET and brain structural characteristics when investigating the pathophysiology of PD. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms linking ET, cortical gyrification, and PD.