Decreased thickness of the individually-mapped genital cortex after childhood sexual abuse exposure in adult women

Abstract Previous research suggests interindividual variability in the location of the genital representation field and use-associated structural variation of genital field thickness associated with normative sexual activity in adult women. Using a sensory-tactile fMRI paradigm, we individually mapped genital fields of 128 women with and without exposure to childhood sexual abuse. We assessed whether structural variation of the individual genital field is driven by exposure to childhood sexual abuse or sexual frequency in the past year. We show that exposure to childhood sexual abuse associated with reduced thickness of individually-mapped genital cortex. Earlier abuse onset predicted greater reductions of genital field thickness. There was no effect of sexual frequency in the past year on genital field thickness. Classic neuroplasticity research indicates amplifying effects of stimulation on sensory cortex. In contrast, our results show long-lasting damaging effects of inappropriate stimulation during early development, emphasizing the need to protect children from sexual adversity.