French researchers based on a cohort of adolescents have determined that young children who were mistreated show differences in certain brain regions involved in emotions and memory. Moreover, these differences, referred to as “brain scars,” would persist into adolescence.
Child Maltreatment, a Factor Altering the Brain
First, let us recall that child maltreatment encompasses any form of abuse, violence, maltreatment, or neglect directed at a person under 18. It can thus include physical violence, psychological (or emotional) abuse, sexual violence, and so-called “severe” neglect. In general, child maltreatment represents a major risk factor for numerous psychiatric disorders, notably depression and other behavioral problems.
In January 2026, a study published in the journal European Psychiatry helped to better understand the lasting alterations of child maltreatment on brain development. Led by the Developmental Trajectories and Psychiatry Research Unit (Inserm U1299), the work relied on data concerning 634 adolescents aged 14 to 18 years.
As explained in an Inserm press release, previous studies had already linked child maltreatment to structural alterations of the limbic system, which is associated with processing emotions, reward, and stress. Nevertheless, the changes in these limbic areas among adolescents remain poorly understood, since most earlier studies involved clinical samples and were conducted over limited time frames.
Alterations That Persist Over Time
In practice, the scientists analyzed the gray matter volume of the participants, as well as brain activity within their limbic system, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Questionnaires addressing the participants’ mental health accompanied these analyses.
According to the results, gray matter showed a smaller volume in the limbic system among teenagers who had experienced maltreatment during childhood—compared with peers who had never undergone such experiences. Furthermore, the study authors did not observe any change in gray matter volume over the four-year follow-up. This means that the alterations—referred to as “brain scars”—persisted throughout adolescence.
Among the teens in the study, those who had previously endured violence showed more signs indicative of depression as well as a higher risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There were also reports of hyperactivity and inattention, emotional and behavioral difficulties, and relational problems.
Toward Better Prevention and Support Strategies?
Indeed, most of the brain regions raised in the study had previously been linked to certain psychiatric disorders such as depression, PTSD, and anhedonia (the inability to experience pleasure). Yet, the findings from the Inserm study tend to strengthen the hypothesis that brain changes resulting from child maltreatment are likely to contribute to increased vulnerability to certain mental health conditions.
The study, which is none other than the largest on the topic of “brain scars,” could perhaps influence psychology. According to the authors, the results underscore the need to evaluate new prevention and support strategies targeted at at-risk adolescents who have suffered maltreatment. The emphasis is on directing prevention efforts toward young people showing early warning signs that threaten their mental or physical health.
