To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the brain dynamics in subjects with DA using microstate analysis. Consistent with previous studies (Damborská et al., 2019), three indices were used: mean duration, time coverage, and segmentation density of microstates. Our results showed that microstates are sensitive in detecting significant differences between individuals with DA and individuals with organized attachment after an AAI session. In particular, EEG dynamics showed a significant difference between the two groups in the mean duration of map E and the segmentation density of map F. In addition, a significant Time effect emerged for the mean duration of map A, C, E, F, for the time coverage of map C, D, E, F, and for the segmentation density of map D and E. Finally, a positive correlation emerged between the mean duration of map E post AAI and the coherence of mind. On the other hand, the segmentation density of map F post AAI was negatively correlated with the mean duration of the map E post AAI, as was the coherence of mind, which also showed a negative correlation with the unresolved trauma subscale.
To date, few studies have described the clinical and functional characteristics of microstate E (Bréchet et al., 2019; Custo et al., 2017; D’Croz-Baron et al., 2019; Serrano et al., 2018; Wei et al., 2018). According to a recent work on a sample of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and control subjects, a significant difference was found between the two groups in the duration and occurrence of this map (D’Croz-Baron et al., 2019). More specifically, as in our case, the ASD group had a lower presence and occurrence of map E compared to controls. Similarly, Terpou et al. (2022) showed that individuals with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder had a shorter duration and lower occurrence of map E compared with the control group.
Previous studies suggested that microstate E is associated with regions of the Salience Network (SN) such as the insula, Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC), and Inferior Frontal Gyrus (IFG) (Bréchet et al., 2019; Custo et al., 2017). This network plays a crucial role in the integration and filtering of interoceptively and emotionally relevant information (Menon, 2011). Furthermore, the crucial node of this network is the insula, which is mainly involved in the selection of both internal and external relevant stimuli (Menon, 2011). In this line, according to previous work by Adenzato et al. (2019) and Massullo et al. (2022), it is possible that retrieval of attachment memories can increase brain arousal in individuals with D/U attachment (Parlar et al., 2018). In addition, a large number of studies have demonstrated the role of ACC in the processing and regulation of cognitive and emotional stimuli (Bush et al., 2000; Stevens et al., 2011), with specific deficits shown in individuals with insecure or DA (Brumariu, 2015; Forslund et al., 2016). Therefore, it is possible that the shorter mean duration of map E reflects these clinical patterns in our sample. Finally, there was a positive correlation between the duration of map E and the subscale of the AAI coherence of mind. Thus, one could speculate that a lower mean duration of map E could be considered a neurophysiological underpinning of the coherence symptoms of disorganized attachment.
Conversely, an increase in occurrence levels of map F has been found in D/U individuals. To date, few studies have discussed the clinical relevance of this map. According to previous reports (Pipinis et al., 2017; Tarailis et al., 2021; Zanesco et al., 2021), a negative correlation between the time coverage of map F and the somatic awareness subscale of the Amsterdam Resting State Questionnaire was found, and an increase in occurrence during propofol-induced anaesthesia for surgery was also reported (Liu et al., 2022; Shi et al., 2020). However, Custo et al. (2017) reported that map F partially reflects activation of some regions of Default Mode Network (DMN) such as the medial prefrontal cortex. Specifically, the DMN is a large-scale network consisting of regions that are synchronically active at rest or when subjects are not involved in performing specific tasks. This network would be involved in various processes such as mentalization, autobiographical memory, future episodic thought, and moral decision (Buckner et al., 2008).
Similar to our findings, specific DMN-related alterations have also been found in individuals with dysfunctional parenting following activation of attachment memories. In particular, a recent work reported a reduction in connectivity measure between some regions of the DMN such as the left temporoparietal junction and the right AAC in the theta frequency band (Adenzato et al., 2019). The authors suggested that the reduction in DMN connectivity observed in individuals with dysfunctional parenting experiences could be indicative of an impaired ability to mentalize their interactions with important individuals, which could be attributed to the activation of early attachment memories. In this sense, our results seem to be consistent with previous studies that revealed changes in the functional connectivity of the DMN in individuals with childhood trauma experiences (Dauvermann et al., 2021; Wang et al., 2022). Moreover, based on the negative correlation with the mean duration of map E, it can be assumed that a higher level of segmentation density of map F might reflect a typical neurophysiological pattern of DA.
Finally, an effect of the time also emerged between the two-time conditions (i.e., pre T0 and post T1 AAI). Taken together, these results, besides confirming what was previously discussed for maps E and F, would seem to report an effect of AAI over time indifferently from groups. For example, an increase in T1 was reported for the mean duration of map A. Accordingly to recent studies, it has been shown that this map is often associated with the activation of the auditory network (Bréchet et al., 2019; Britz et al., 2010; Tarailis et al., 2023). In addition, recent works have also reported the presence of this map with an increase in arousal levels (Antonova et al., 2022; Ke et al., 2021). Therefore, the present results would be in line with previous literature about the activating effects following the AAI administration (Adenzato et al., 2019; Dozier & Kobak, 1992; George et al., 1996).
Despite the innovative aspects of this study, some limitations should be noted. First, this study was conducted in a population of university students, and it would therefore be interesting to extend these findings in a clinical sample (e.g., psychiatric patients with D/U). In addition, future studies should replicate our reported observations in a different and larger group of participants to test the replicability of our data.
Notwithstanding the limitations, this is the first study to investigate the dynamics of RS large-scale brain networks activity in individuals with DA using EEG microstate analysis. According to our results, it is possible to speculate that microstates may be sensitive in detecting significant differences between individuals with DA and controls after an AAI session, providing a potential neurophysiological signature for DA in non-clinical sample.