Scientists at Harvard Medical School have discovered that childhood abuse can alter the activity of genes associated with neurological disorders. The research was published in the journal Advancement in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry.
Functional conversion disorders are characterized by an involuntary escape from reality and are often accompanied by motor disturbances such as drowsiness or tics. Female gender and a history of childhood trauma are risk factors, but the reasons for this are not clear.
In a new study, researchers have found that survivors of childhood abuse have unique changes in the activity of genes associated with conversion disorders. These changes were particularly pronounced in women. In total, the scientists analyzed the genomes of 104 people, of whom 57 were diagnosed with conversion disorder.
The scientists hope that other researchers can use their findings to improve understanding of the role of genetic factors in functional disorders. For centuries, conversion disorders were erroneously called “hysteria,” based on the idea that symptoms were caused by abnormal uterine movement. At the end of the 19th century, Freud suggested that conversion disorders could result from traumatic events in childhood.