Alterations In Adolescents Research Articles

Resting-state brain networks alterations in adolescents with Internet Gaming Disorder associate with cognitive control impairments.

Research indicates that cognitive control is compromised in individuals with internet gaming disorder (IGD). However, the neural mechanisms behind it are still unclear. This study aims to investigate alterations in resting-state brain networks in adolescents with IGD and the potential neurobiological mechanisms underlying cognitive dysfunction. A total of 44 adolescent IGD subjects (male/female: 38/6) and 50 healthy controls (male/female: 40/10) were enrolled. Participants underwent demographic assessments, Young's Internet Addiction Scale, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11 Chinese Revised Version, the Chinese Adolescents' Maladaptive Cognitions Scale, exploratory eye movement tests, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). FMRI data were analyzed using the GIFT software for independent component analysis, focusing on functional connectivity within and between resting-state brain networks. In comparison to the control group, impulsivity in adolescent IGD subjects showed a positive correlation with the severity of IGD (r=0.6350, p < 0.001), linked to impairments in the Executive Control Network (ECN) and a decrease in functional connectivity between the Salience Network (SN) and ECN (r=0.4307, p=0.0021; r=-0.5147, p=0.0034). Decreased resting state activity of the dorsal attention network (DAN) was associated with attentional dysregulation of IGD in adolescents (r=0.4071, p=0.0017), and ECN increased functional connectivity with DAN. The degree of IGD was positively correlated with enhanced functional connectivity between the ECN and DAN (r=0.4283, p=0.0037). This research demonstrates that changes in the ECN and DAN correlate with heightened impulsivity and attentional deficits in adolescents with IGD. The interaction between cognitive control disorders and resting-state brain networks in adolescent IGD is related.

Dietary content and combined training, but not daily physical activity, are associated with 6-month bone mineral changes in adolescents with obesity: A Secondary analysis of the PAC-MAnO trial

PurposeThe present study aimed to explore the influence of diet and physical activity (PA) changes on bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) alterations in adolescents with obesity undergoing a weight loss program.MethodsSix-month longitudinal data from 71 adolescents (aged 15.1 [± 1.6] years; 57.7% girls) with a BMI z-score of 3.03 (± 0.78), previously recruited for the PAC-MAnO trial, were analyzed using Generalized Estimation Equations for over time changes and linear regressions with BMC, BMD and BMD z-score as dependent variables, adjusting for confounders (including type of exercise- aerobic vs. combined).ResultsAdjusting for confounders, changes in carbohydrate (CH) and protein content showed to positively and negatively predict BMD z-score variance, respectively (β = 0.44, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.04, p < .001); β = -0.57, 95%CI: -0.06, -0.03, p < .001), yet no associations were found between PA and bone-related parameters. Combined exercise showed better results on BMC compared to aerobic exercise (β = 0.09, 95%CI: 0.05 to 0.13, p < .001).ConclusionsIncreased CH content, instead of protein, may be associated with BMD improvements in adolescents with obesity. Type of exercise may moderate the impact of PA on bone health.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT02941770.What is Known• Adolescents with obesity may be at a higher risk of osteopenia/osteoporosis• Obesity and inadequate diet and physical activity (PA) may have an adverse effect on bone metabolismWhat is New• Improvements in adiposity and muscle mass and increased diet carbohydrate content are associated with bone mineral density (BMD) improvements• Type of exercise (i.e., combined training vs. aerobic) may moderate the impact of PA on BMD, and calcium intake may mediate this impact

Brain alterations in adolescents with first-episode depression who have experienced adverse events: evidence from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Adverse life events constitute primary risk factors for major depressive disorder (MDD), influencing brain function and structure. Adolescents, with their brains undergoing continuous development, are particularly susceptible to enduring impacts of adverse events. We investigated differences and correlations among childhood trauma, negative life events, and alterations of brain function in adolescents with first-episode MDD. The study included 23 patients with MDD and 19 healthy controls, aged 10-19 years. All participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and were assessed using the beck depression inventory, childhood trauma questionnaire, and adolescent self-rating life events checklist. Compared with healthy controls, participants with first-episode MDD were more likely to have experienced emotional abuse, physical neglect, interpersonal relationship problems, and learning stress (all p' < 0.05). These adverse life events were significantly correlated with alterations in brain functions (all p < 0.05). This study contributes novel evidence on the underlying process between adverse life events, brain function, and depression, emphasizing the significant neurophysiological impact of environmental factors.

Cortical morphological alterations in adolescents with major depression and non-suicidal self-injury

BackgroundNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) involves repetitive self-harm without suicidal intent and is common among adolescents, often linked to major depressive disorder (MDD). NSSI can lead to physical harm, cognitive impairments, interpersonal issues, violent behavior, and increased risks of psychological disorders and suicide attempts later in life. MethodsVoxel-based morphometry (VBM) and surface-based morphometry (SBM) were performed on 44 NSSI patients and 44 healthy controls (HCs). Differences in GMV, CT, and cortical complexity were compared using the two-sample t-tests and correlated with neuropsychological scales. ResultsNSSI patients exhibited significant GMV atrophy in multiple regions, including the left insula, left anterior cingulate cortex, left putamen, left middle frontal gyrus, and right superior frontal gyrus showing increased GMV in the cerebellum posterior lobe. NSSI patients had increased CT in multiple left hemisphere regions and decreased CT in the right middle frontal gyrus. Additionally, they exhibited reduced cortical complexity, including decreased SD in the right frontal gyrus, and lower GI in the left insula. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of fractal dimension (FD). NSSI patients showed negative correlation between the CT of the right middle frontal gyrus and the anger dimension of the BPAQ, as well as the SD of the right superior frontal gyrus and the hostility dimension of the BPAQ. ConclusionNSSI patients have significant structural changes in the insular cortex, prefrontal cortex, precentral and postcentral gyrus, temporal lobe, putamen, and anterior cingulate cortex, offering a morphological perspective on the pathophysiology of NSSI in MDD.

Thinning of the retinal nerve fiber and choroidal layers in adolescents with anorexia nervosa: A controlled study.

We aimed to evaluate retinal nerve fiber and choroidal layer alterations in adolescents with anorexia nervosa using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Thirty patients with anorexia nervosa and 30 healthy adolescents aged 12-18 years were included in this study. Their age, sex, body mass index, anorexia nervosa type, disease duration, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography data were recorded. Central macular thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in the temporal and inferior regions were significantly lesser in patients with anorexia than in healthy controls (p<0.05). Moreover, significant choroidal thinning around the foveal and subfoveal regions in patients with anorexia was observed (p<0.05). In addition, a statistically significant relation between the increase in disease duration and the thinning of the inferior retinal nerve fiber layer was detected (p<0.05). The retinal nerve fiber layer and choroidal layer thicknesses were lesser in patients with anorexia than in healthy controls. Screening for retinal indices might prevent the development of irreversible retinal pathologies in adolescents with anorexia nervosa. In addition, thinning of the retinal nerve fiber and choroidal layers could reflect structural or functional changes in the brain of adolescents with anorexia nervosa.

A preliminary investigation into cortical structural alterations in adolescents with nonsuicidal self-injury

The structural neural correlates underlying youth nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) warrant further exploration. Few studies have explored the association between NSSI and brain structure in adolescence, and no studies have investigated differences in the relation between age and brain structure in youth with NSSI. This preliminary investigation examined associations between NSSI history, age, and cortical structure using magnetic resonance imaging in adolescent girls (N = 100, Mage = 13.4 years) at increased risk for psychopathology. We conducted whole-brain analyses to investigate the associations between age and cortical structure, NSSI history and cortical structure, and NSSI history as a moderator of the association between age and cortical structure. Results suggested that age was associated with less cortical thickness and surface area in the left and right prefrontal, temporal, and parietal cortex. NSSI history was associated with less left insula and left inferior parietal cortex cortical surface area. Among adolescents with NSSI history, older age predicted greater left inferior parietal cortex surface area and was not associated with left precentral cortex surface area. Among adolescents without NSSI history, older age predicted smaller surface areas as expected with the typical trajectory of neurodevelopment. Overall, our results suggest differences in cortical surface area development in adolescents with NSSI history.

Experimental protocol to investigate cortical, muscular and body representation alterations in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common form of scoliosis. AIS is a three-dimensional morphological spinal deformity that affects approximately 1-3% of adolescents. Not all factors related to the etiology of AIS have yet been identified. The primary aim of this experimental protocol is to quantitatively investigate alterations in body representation in AIS, and to quantitatively and objectively track the changes in body sensorimotor representation due to treatment. Adolescent girls with a confirmed diagnosis of mild (Cobb angle: 10°-20°) or moderate (21°-35°) scoliosis as well as age and sex-matched controls will be recruited. Participants will be asked to perform a 6-min upright standing and two tasks-named target reaching and forearm bisection task. Eventually, subjects will fill in a self-report questionnaire and a computer-based test to assess body image. This evaluation will be repeated after 6 and 12 months of treatment (i.e., partial or full-time brace and physiotherapy corrective postural exercises). We expect that theta brain rhythm in the central brain areas, alpha brain rhythm lateralization and body representation will change over time depending on treatment and scoliosis progression as a compensatory strategy to overcome a sensorimotor dysfunction. We also expect asymmetric activation of the trunk muscle during reaching tasks and decreased postural stability in AIS. Quantitatively assess the body representation at different time points during AIS treatment may provide new insights on the pathophysiology and etiology of scoliosis.

Identification of structural brain alterations in adolescents with depressive symptomatology

IntroductionDepressive symptoms can emerge as early as childhood and may lead to adverse situations in adulthood. Studies have examined structural brain alternations in individuals with depressive symptoms, but findings remain inconclusive. Furthermore, previous studies have focused on adults or used a categorical approach to assess depression. The current study looks to identify grey matter volumes (GMV) that predict depressive symptomatology across a clinically concerning sample of adolescents. MethodsStructural MRI data were collected from 338 clinically concerning adolescents (mean age = 15.30 SD=2.07; mean IQ = 101.01 SD=12.43; 132 F). Depression symptoms were indexed via the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ). Freesurfer was used to parcellate the brain into 68 cortical regions and 14 subcortical regions. GMV was extracted from all 82 brain areas. Multiple linear regression was used to look at the relationship between MFQ scores and region-specific GMV parameter. Follow up regressions were conducted to look at potential effects of psychiatric diagnoses and medication intake. ResultsOur regression analysis produced a significant model (R2 = 0.446, F(86, 251) = 2.348, p < 0.001). Specifically, there was a negative association between GMV of the left parahippocampal (B = −0.203, p = 0.005), right rostral anterior cingulate (B = −0.162, p = 0.049), and right frontal pole (B = −0.147, p = 0.039) and a positive association between GMV of the left bank of the superior temporal sulcus (B = 0.173, p = 0.029). Follow up analyses produced results proximal to the main analysis. ConclusionsAltered regional brain volumes may serve as biomarkers for the development of depressive symptoms during adolescence. These findings suggest a homogeneity of altered cortical structures in adolescents with depressive symptoms.

Peer Education : Kesehatan Mental Remaja Untuk Pencegahan Gangguan Mental Remaja di Desa Ngadas

The transition between childhood and maturity makes adolescence a challenging period. Physical and psychological alterations in adolescents will have an effect on their mental health. Continuing efforts are made to prevent mental disorders in adolescents, including here by educating adolescents about mental health. Teenagers in the village of Ngadas have never received any mental health education. This community service activity seeks to increase adolescents' knowledge of mental health, including efforts to prevent mental disorders in adolescents, through the dissemination of information. On January 5, 2023, 35 young people participated in this community service in the Ngadas Malang tourism village at SMPN 3 Poncokusumo Ngadas. Through the use of thought-stopping and five-finger hypnosis, this community service intervention provides mental health education and prevention efforts. The results of this community service activity demonstrate an increase in adolescents' mental health knowledge from 60% to 80% in the excellent category and participants were able to do stress management with thought-stopping and five-finger hypnosis, namely 85%. Education on adolescent mental health can increase adolescents' knowledge of adolescent mental health and stress management techniques they can implement.

Attachment Trauma Is Associated with White Matter Fiber Microstructural Alterations in Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa before and after Exposure to Psychotherapeutic and Nutritional Treatment.

In the present study, we explore the role of attachment for microstructural white matter (WM) changes in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) before and after exposure to short-term and nutritional treatment. The case sample consisted of 22 female adolescent inpatients with AN (mean age: 15.2 ± 1.2 years) and the control sample were 18 gender-matched healthy adolescents (mean age: 16.8 ± 0.9 years). We performed a 3T MRI in the patient group during the acute state of AN and after weight restoration (duration: 2.6 ± 1 months) and compared the data to a healthy control group. To classify attachment patterns, we used the Adult Attachment Projective Picture System. In the patient sample, over 50% were classified with an attachment trauma/unresolved attachment status. Prior to treatment exposure, fractional anisotropy (FA) reductions and concordant mean diffusivity (MD) increases were evident in the fornix, the corpus callosum and WM regions of the thalamus, which normalized in the corpus callosum and the fornix post-therapy in the total patient sample (p < 0.002). In the acute state, patients with an attachment trauma demonstrated significant FA decreases compared to healthy controls, but no MD increases, in the corpus callosum and cingulum bilaterally, which remained decreased after therapy. Attachment patterns seem to be associated with region-specific changes of WM alterations in AN.

Endocannabinoid System Alterations in Adolescents With Non-Suicidal Self-Injurious Behavior and Childhood Trauma

Endocannabinoid System Alterations in Adolescents With Non-Suicidal Self-Injurious Behavior and Childhood Trauma

Machine learning based identification of structural brain alterations underlying suicide risk in adolescents

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for individuals between 15 and 19 years of age. The high suicide mortality rate and limited prior success in identifying neuroimaging biomarkers indicate that it is crucial to improve the accuracy of clinical neural signatures underlying suicide risk. The current study implements machine-learning (ML) algorithms to examine structural brain alterations in adolescents that can discriminate individuals with suicide risk from typically developing (TD) adolescents at the individual level. Structural MRI data were collected from 79 adolescents who demonstrated clinical levels of suicide risk and 79 demographically matched TD adolescents. Region-specific cortical/subcortical volume (CV/SCV) was evaluated following whole-brain parcellation into 1000 cortical and 12 subcortical regions. CV/SCV parameters were used as inputs for feature selection and three ML algorithms (i.e., support vector machine [SVM], K-nearest neighbors, and ensemble) to classify adolescents at suicide risk from TD adolescents. The highest classification accuracy of 74.79% (with sensitivity = 75.90%, specificity = 74.07%, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 87.18%) was obtained for CV/SCV data using the SVM classifier. Identified bilateral regions that contributed to the classification mainly included reduced CV within the frontal and temporal cortices but increased volume within the cuneus/precuneus for adolescents at suicide risk relative to TD adolescents. The current data demonstrate an unbiased region-specific ML framework to effectively assess the structural biomarkers of suicide risk. Future studies with larger sample sizes and the inclusion of clinical controls and independent validation data sets are needed to confirm our findings.

In vivo white matter microstructure in adolescents with early-onset psychosis: a multi-site mega-analysis

Emerging evidence suggests brain white matter alterations in adolescents with early-onset psychosis (EOP; age of onset <18 years). However, as neuroimaging methods vary and sample sizes are modest, results remain inconclusive. Using harmonized data processing protocols and a mega-analytic approach, we compared white matter microstructure in EOP and healthy controls using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Our sample included 321 adolescents with EOP (median age = 16.6 years, interquartile range (IQR) = 2.14, 46.4% females) and 265 adolescent healthy controls (median age = 16.2 years, IQR = 2.43, 57.7% females) pooled from nine sites. All sites extracted mean fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), and axial diffusivity (AD) for 25 white matter regions of interest per participant. ComBat harmonization was performed for all DTI measures to adjust for scanner differences. Multiple linear regression models were fitted to investigate case-control differences and associations with clinical variables in regional DTI measures. We found widespread lower FA in EOP compared to healthy controls, with the largest effect sizes in the superior longitudinal fasciculus (Cohen’s d = 0.37), posterior corona radiata (d = 0.32), and superior fronto‐occipital fasciculus (d = 0.31). We also found widespread higher RD and more localized higher MD and AD. We detected significant effects of diagnostic subgroup, sex, and duration of illness, but not medication status. Using the largest EOP DTI sample to date, our findings suggest a profile of widespread white matter microstructure alterations in adolescents with EOP, most prominently in male individuals with early-onset schizophrenia and individuals with a shorter duration of illness.

Integrative analysis reveals novel associations between DNA methylation and the serum metabolome of adolescents with type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study.

ObjectiveRates of type 2 diabetes (T2D) among adolescents are on the rise. Epigenetic changes could be associated with the metabolic alterations in adolescents with T2D.MethodsWe performed a cross sectional integrated analysis of DNA methylation data from peripheral blood mononuclear cells with serum metabolomic data from First Nation adolescents with T2D and controls participating in the Improving Renal Complications in Adolescents with type 2 diabetes through Research (iCARE) cohort study, to explore the molecular changes in adolescents with T2D.ResultsOur analysis showed that 43 serum metabolites and 36 differentially methylated regions (DMR) were associated with T2D. Several DMRs were located near the transcriptional start site of genes with established roles in metabolic disease and associated with altered serum metabolites (e.g. glucose, leucine, and gamma-glutamylisoleucine). These included the free fatty acid receptor-1 (FFAR1), upstream transcription factor-2 (USF2), and tumor necrosis factor-related protein-9 (C1QTNF9), among others.ConclusionsWe identified DMRs and metabolites that merit further investigation to determine their significance in controlling gene expression and metabolism which could define T2D risk in adolescents.

Integrative community therapy for the promotion of mental health in adolescents: A quasi‐experimental study

AbstractBackgroundThe numerous transformations that occur during adolescence render this phase more susceptible to mental health issues, and it is therefore important to conduct studies assessing interventions aimed at promoting mental health among this population.AimTo evaluate the effects of integrative community therapy (ICT) on the mental health of adolescents.MethodThis is a quasi‐experimental pre‐ and post‐test study with a quantitative approach. The participants were 127 adolescents aged 12–17 years, attending a public school in the southern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil, who completed a participant characterisation questionnaire and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Ten ICT sessions were conducted for each group, with an average participation of 12 adolescents per group. The recommended guidelines of the Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence were used for the presentation of this study.ResultsIn the pre‐intervention assessment, 70.1% of the adolescents presented a positive screening for mental health alteration. Females were more likely to present as borderline or abnormal based on the total SDQ score, and were more likely to report emotional and relationship issues with peers. It was evidenced that the ICT sessions contributed to a reduction in alterations in adolescent mental health in the domains of hyperactivity, emotional issues, conduct issues, relationship issues, and the total SDQ score.ConclusionIntegrative community therapy was an effective intervention for reducing mental health alterations in adolescents. Worthy of note is the role of healthcare and education professionals in the promotion of adolescent health.

Alterations in the structure and function of the brain in adolescents with new daily persistent headache: A pilot MRI study.

The purpose of this study was to explore brain morphological and functional connectivity alterations in adolescents with new daily persistent headache (NDPH) compared to pain-free, healthy controls. NDPH is one of the most disabling and least understood primary headache conditions. To date, no studies have considered the role of brain function and structure in pediatric patients with NDPH. In this cross-sectional study, resting-state functional and structural images were acquired for 13 patients with NDPH (M age=15.9, standard deviation [SD] ± 1.4) and 13 age- and sex-matched controls (M age=16.2, SD ± 1.8) using magnetic resonance imaging. Participants were recruited from the Pediatric Headache Program at Boston Children's Hospital and from the Greater Boston area. In patients, clinical features of NDPH, including disease duration, pain intensity ratings, pain sensitivity, and functional disability were also assessed, and their associations with functional and structural brain alterations were explored. Compared to controls, patients with NDPH demonstrated reduced cortical thickness in the bilateral superior temporal gyrus, left superior, and middle frontal gyrus areas (p < 0.05, Monte Carlo corrected for multiple comparisons). Furthermore, reduced cortical thickness of the left superior frontal gyrus was related to elevated pain sensitivity in NDPH (r=-0.79, p=0.006). Patients showed altered functional connectivity between regions involved in emotional and cognitive networks of pain, including the amygdala, insula, frontal regions, and cerebellar subregions. The present study provides the first preliminary evidence of functional and structural brain differences in pediatric patients with NDPH compared to controls. Identifying alterations in cortical thickness and resting-state connectivity between specific brain regions could provide characteristics of NDPH and probable mechanisms that may guide personalized therapeutic interventions.

Reduced Resting-State Connectivity in Sensory Regions in Juvenile Fibromyalgia

Juvenile fibromyalgia (JFM) is a chronic pain condition affecting predominantly female adolescents. Although JFM pathophysiology has not been addressed, a study found reduced resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) in the primary somatosensory system of children with chronic pain. This finding concurs with rs-FC reductions in somatosensory areas described in adults with fibromyalgia. In adults, such rs-FC alterations extended beyond the somatosensory domain and implicated other sensory modalities (3), which may suggest that fibromyalgia patients experience a weakening of sensory integration. Whether this phenomenon replicates in JFM remains to be elucidated. This research aimed to evaluate rs-FC alterations in adolescents with JFM for the first time. We evaluated 37 female adolescents with JFM and 43 matched controls. All participants underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging examination. Using an Intrinsic Connectivity Contrast approach, we computed whole-brain, voxel-wise rs-FC and assessed between-group differences via t-tests. Significant clusters were used as seeds of interest in post-hoc seed-to-voxel analyses. The statistical threshold of all analyses was set at family-wise error-corrected p<.05. Compared to controls, JFM patients had decreased whole-brain rs-FC in the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) and the midcingulate cortex, involved in pain processing and response selection. Seed-to-voxel analyses revealed that JFM patients had reduced rs-FC within these regions and between the midcingulate cortex and the bilateral supplementary motor area, posterior insula and parietal operculum (SII), and auditory cortices, thus, areas mediating somatomotor and sensory processing. In contrast, JFM participants showed increased rs-FC between SI and the thalamus, potentially reflecting increased coupling between subcortical and cortical relays of nociceptive processing, and between SI and the ventral anterior insula, involved in affective and visceral processing. Our findings suggest an overall reduction of cortico-cortical integration of sensory signal and an augmented cross-talk between primary sensory and affective-visceral processing regions in adolescents with JFM. This work was funded by NIH/NIAMS Grants R01 AR074795 and P30 AR076316.

P711. Identification of Structural Brain Alterations in Adolescents at Suicide Risk: A Machine Learning Approach

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in youth in the US. Previous studies have mainly attempted to examine structural neural correlates of suicide risk using pre-specified brain regions. The current study implements a machine-learning (ML) algorithm to examine whole-brain structural brain alterations in adolescents at suicide risk relative to typically developing (TD) adolescents.

P349. Machine Learning-Based Identification of Structural Brain Alterations in Adolescents With Major Depressive Disorder

Structural brain alternations have been shown in individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) including frontal and temporal regions. However, results have been mixed. The current study utilizes highly reliable and unbiased machine learning (ML) techniques to examine whole-brain cortical and sub-cortical volumetric alterations in adolescents with MDD relative to typically developing (TD) adolescents.

P434. Potential Functional Connectivity Alterations in Adolescents Following Concussion

Adolescent concussion is a growing public health concern, with adolescents often reporting longer and more severe symptoms than adults and younger children. Yet, the neurological mechanisms underpinning concussive symptoms at this developmental stage are not well understood. While resting state fMRI is a useful tool in examining these mechanisms, few studies have used this technique to examine the impact of concussion during adolescence.