The association between early regulatory problems and adult peer relationship quality is mediated by the brain's allostatic-interoceptive systemZorjan, Saša (Avtor) Wolke, Dieter (Avtor) Baumann, Nicole (Avtor) Sorg, Christian (Avtor) Mulej Bratec, Satja (Avtor) regulatory problemsallostatic interoceptive systeminsulapeer relationshipscryingsleepingfeedingBavarian longitudinal studyBackground: Early regulatory problems (RPs), i. e., problems with crying, sleeping, and/or feeding during the firstyears, increase the risk for avoidant personality traits in adulthood, associated with social withdrawal and anxiety. Even more, RPs are linked with functional alterations in the adult default mode and salience networks, comprisingthe brain’s allostatic-interoceptive system (AIS) and playing a role in social interactions. We investigated whether RPsassessed in infancy are associated with difficulties in adult peer relationships mediated by functional alterations of the AIS. Methods: As part of a large case-controlled prospective study, 42 adults with previous RPs and 70 matchedcontrols (mean age = 28.48, SD = 2.65, 51% male) underwent fMRI during rest. The analysis focused on the intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) of key nodes of the AIS. Peer relationship quality was assessed via a semi-structured LifeCourse Interview and the YASR scale. In these same individuals, RPs were assessed at ages 5, 20 and 56 months. Results: RPs in infancy were associated with lower-quality peer relationships and enhanced functional connectivityof the AIS nodes in adulthood, with a stronger effect for multiple and persistent RPs compared withtransient-multiple or single-persistent RPs. Importantly, iFC changes of the dorsal mid insula, a primary interoceptive cortex with frontal and temporal regions, mediated the relationship between early RPs and adult peer relationship quality. Conclusions: Results indicate long-lasting social and neural changes associated with early RPs.Our findings further implicate the AIS in both interoceptive and social processes, while indicating the need for earlyscreening of early RPs. Keywords: Regulatory problems; allostatic interoceptive system; insula; peer relationships;crying; sleeping; feeding; Bavarian Longitudinal Study.Pergamon Press20252024-09-19 03:10:15Znanstveno delo90744sl