How brain structure relates to psychopathology across diagnoses in pre‐adolescents

Abstract

Using data from the federal government's Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, researchers have identified specific brain structure features that might contribute to transdiagnostic (across diagnostic categories) psychopathology development in preadolescence. The study found that children with smaller total brain volume and surface area may be vulnerable to persistent general psychopathology during preadolescence. “Cortical thinning reflective of pruning and myelination in sensorimotor and temporal brain regions specifically may protect against increases in internaliz‐ing, but not general psychopathology, during preadolescence,” according to the study. In general, structural neural alterations have been associated with the “p factor” (higher “p” scores are associated with developmental problems and other issues, but not specifically related to diagnoses). However, less is known about how the brain al‐terations relate within time in an individual, especially during preadolescence, when many neurodevelopmental changes are taking place. This study looked at the trajectory of the p factor and specific forms of psychopathology over 2 years in 9,220 preadolescents (aged 9–10 years at baseline). The study found that smaller volume and surface area of the brain, but not thickness, were associated with higher p factor scores which persisted over time in between‐person (how individuals differ) but not within‐person (how change occurs in a particular individual) p factor scores. “Lower baseline cortical thickness was associated with steeper decreases in internalizing psychopathology, which was driven by lower thickness within sensorimotor and temporal regions.” [Romer, A. L., Ren, B., Pizzagalli, D. A. (2023, Feb 9). Brain structure relations with psychopathology trajectories in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, S0890‐8567(23)00057‐6. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2023.02.002.]