# The Impact of Stress and Trauma on White Matter Integrity and Psychotic-like Experiences

> **NIH NIH F31** · TEMPLE UNIV OF THE COMMONWEALTH · 2021 · $19,123

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Individuals with schizophrenia and related disorders experience significant distress related to psychotic
symptoms, cognitive deficits, and poor functional outcomes, which represent a large personal and public health
burden. White matter (WM) abnormalities have been found across the psychosis spectrum: from those with
schizophrenia to non-help-seeking individuals with psychotic-like experiences (PLEs; subclinical, attenuated
version of positive psychotic symptoms). WM dysfunction has also been associated with deficits in
neurocognition, social cognition, and functional outcome within individuals with psychosis spectrum disorders.
As such, identifying contributors to WM dysfunction prior to the onset of psychosis is crucial for early
identification and preventing conversion to more severe forms of psychotic illness. Recent studies have found
associations between prolonged stress response and WM integrity in individuals with schizophrenia, as well as
correlations between early life trauma and WM integrity in animals and individuals with post-traumatic stress
disorder; however, psychosocial correlates of WM dysfunction have not yet been identified in individuals
experiencing PLEs. The proposed study will utilize diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) within a non-help-seeking
community sample of 16 – 24 year olds experiencing a range of PLEs to examine the contribution of
psychosocial stress and traumatic life events to the relationship between WM abnormalities and PLEs, and
examine the contribution of sex and subtype of PLE to these relationships. This study represents an important
step toward identifying causal mechanisms for WM dysfunction within individuals with psychosis spectrum
disorders, as well as delineating important targets for interventions. This fellowship would allow me to obtain
additional training opportunities, particularly in neuroimaging analysis, which are beyond the scope of my
program and I would not otherwise have the time to receive without my own line of funding. My sponsors and I
have designed a training plan that will allow me to learn neuroimaging analysis, gain additional expertise in the
realms of psychosis and the general effects of stress, learn statistical processing methods needed for my
dissertation project, and gain the skills necessary for my future career as an independent investigator. The
support of this fellowship will allow me to round out my education and develop into a productive and impactful
researcher, identifying causal mechanisms for psychosis spectrum disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10112754
- **Project number:** 5F31MH119720-02
- **Recipient organization:** TEMPLE UNIV OF THE COMMONWEALTH
- **Principal Investigator:** Arielle Ered
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $19,123
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-01-01 → 2021-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10112754

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10112754, The Impact of Stress and Trauma on White Matter Integrity and Psychotic-like Experiences (5F31MH119720-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10112754. Licensed CC0.

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