Identifying the neural differences in individuals with traumatic experiences based on neuroimaging data: A narrative review.

Résumé

BACKGROUND: Childhood trauma can lead to lasting psychological and physiological effects, including altered brainwave patterns. This review examines the relationship between childhood trauma and brainwave activity, exploring the potential use of quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) as an indicator for trauma-related disorders.METHODS: This narrative review examined six studies that were published from 1997-2025, which investigated the neural differences in the population who have experienced traumatic event(s) during their childhood.RESULTS: Altered brainwave patterns, particularly the delta, theta, alpha, and beta waves, were found in trauma-affected individuals. These changes are linked to emotional regulation, sensory processing, and cognitive control disruptions.CONCLUSIONS: The current review utilizes the polyvagal theory as a potential physiological framework to link childhood trauma to the specific brainwave alterations observed in EEG and qEEG findings. While the theory remains a subject of ongoing debate, it offers a useful perspective for understanding the relationship between trauma and neural changes. Additionally, this study suggests that qEEG could serve as a reliable tool for early trauma detection, although further research is needed to validate these findings across diverse populations.