Maier A, Gieling C, Heinen-Ludwig L, et al. - Researchers examined if childhood maltreatment modifies interpersonal distance preference and the processing of social touch resulting in risk for dysfunctional behavior in social interactions. They tested 92 medication-free adults (64 of them female) with low, medium, and high levels of childhood maltreatment with an interpersonal distance paradigm. These adults were made to undergo a social touch functional MRI task during which they rated the perceived comfort of slow touch (C-tactile [CT] optimal speed; 5 cm/s) and fast touch (non-CT-optimal speed; 20 cm/s). As per outcomes, there is a correlation between higher childhood maltreatment levels and hypersensitivity typified by a penchant for greater interpersonal distance and discomfort of fast touch. Sensory cortical hyperreactivity and limbic CT-related hypoactivation were the manifestations of these dysregulations. Results offer insight into the possible relation of severe childhood maltreatment with increased susceptibility to interpersonal dysfunctions and psychiatric disorders in adulthood.