Differential Association Between Default Mode Network Connectivity and Attachment Styles in Healthy Individuals and Crohn's Disease Patients.
Brain and behavior June 1, 2025 Alessandro Agostini, Sara Ventura, Silvia Tempia Valenta et al.
Crohn's disease (CD) is linked to psychological disorders and insecure attachment styles, but the brain mechanisms underlying attachment in CD are not well understood. In an fMRI study of 19 CD patients and 18 healthy controls, attachment style questionnaire scores were similar between groups. However, resting-state brain scans revealed opposite patterns in the default mode network (DMN): in healthy controls, higher attachment insecurity scores correlated with reduced DMN connectivity, while in CD patients they correlated with increased DMN connectivity, particularly in the superior frontal gyrus, posterior cingulate, and orbitofrontal regions. These DMN changes may reflect altered self-monitoring and relational processing, potentially contributing to psychological stress and reduced mentalization in CD. The findings suggest attachment dimensions should be considered in inflammatory bowel disease treatment and encourage mentalization-based psychotherapeutic approaches.