Youth Risk Research Articles

Arterial stiffness precedes hypertension and metabolic risks in youth: a review.

Arterial stiffness is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in middle-aged and old adults. Arterial stiffness has been limited to being an intermediate marker of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events in adolescents and young adult studies. The paucity of normative longitudinal data and repeated gold-standard assessments of arterial stiffness among the young population has occasioned a huge knowledge gap in its clinical utility. This review summarizes recent longitudinal evidence in a large adolescent population, supporting the value of arterial stiffness as a novel risk factor for hypertension, overweight/obesity and insulin resistance. Preventing or decreasing arterial stiffness during adolescence may confer cardiometabolic health benefits in later life, but further pathological and mechanistic research is needed. The review also offers suggestions for incorporating arterial stiffness measures into routine paediatric and young adult clinical practice.

Transforming injury prevention for youth (TrIPY): an intersectionality model for youth injury prevention

Injury is deadly and expensive, and rates are increasing. The cost of injury is not only a financial burden; individuals, families and communities suffer the human costs of physical and...

O4 - Providing unplanned pregnancy care and Early Medical Abortion to marginalised groups at the Kirketon Road Centre (KRC) - a walk in targeted primary health care service in Kings Cross, Sydney

Social and financial marginalisation are barriers to accessing reproductive health services including medical abortion. KRC’s multidisciplinary team provides unplanned pregnancy care and Early Medical Abortion (EMA) to targeted population groups in a walk in clinic, at lower cost, making EMA more accessible. Eligibility is assessed using KRC EMA guidelines by an appropriately qualified nurse, midwife or doctor. People attend low cost imaging and clinical assessments and pathology tests are free. Medication packs and MS-2 Step are supplied by a local pharmacy for a dispensing fee, or at cost price if without Medicare. Appointments are face-to-face and telehealth. People who are not eligible for EMA at KRC are referred to appropriate services. Since November 2021, nurses, midwives and doctors from KRC have worked collaboratively to provide unplanned pregnancy care. Eight people, including one who travelled 95 km, have accessed EMA at KRC. People have been referred by a peer-based sex worker organisation, or have attended KRC for unplanned pregnancy support unaware that EMA was available. Aboriginal people, people who sex work, at risk youth, homeless people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds have attended. EMA would otherwise have been inaccessible to these people. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive with many people expressing a sense of relief their needs were being met. Some clients opted for long acting reversible contraception (LARC) insertion which led to upskilling of staff and the development of a working group to expand nursing and midwife involvement in contraception provision at KRC. Access to safe medical abortions is a critical part of sexual and reproductive health yet access to these services is often hampered by social marginalization, stigma and cost. Implementing EMA services which address these barriers is a priority if we are to provide universal access to comprehensive abortion care.

The Relevance of Prior Offending to Risk and Need in Youth Family Violence: A Population Cohort Study

PurposeThe present study examines differences in the characteristics and recidivism risk of young people reported to police for family violence (FV) with a history of prior offending (generalists) and those only known to police for using FV (family-only).MethodA population-based cohort of youth aged 10–24 years (N = 5014) who were reported to police for using FV over a four-month period in 2019 was examined and FV-related risk and need data extracted, with a six-month follow-up period for further police-reported FV. All data was extracted from police databases. Logistic regression with odds ratios as a measure of effect size were used to compare generalist and family-only cohorts. Cox proportional hazards were used to assess time to FV recidivism among the two cohorts, and to assess whether diversity of prior offending was associated with risk of FV recidivism among generalist youth.ResultsGeneralists were more likely than family-only youth to be recorded as using FV in a high severity FV incident, be abusive across multiple relationships, and breach court orders. Generalists experienced a greater level of need and were more likely to engage in FV recidivism, and do so more quickly, than family-only youth. Diversity of prior offending among generalists was positively associated with risk of FV recidivism.ConclusionCompared to family-only youth, generalists represent a higher risk cohort with a greater level of need. History of prior offending among young people may be a simple and efficacious means of prioritising higher risk youth who use FV.

An Assessment of Juvenile Justice Reform in Ohio: Impact on Youth Placement and Recidivism From 2008 to 2015

Juvenile justice systems across the U.S. have undergone transformations over the last 20 years. These efforts include deliberate attempts and policy decisions enacted to reduce the number of incarcerated youths. Ohio has implemented a series of initiatives in its juvenile justice system designed to reduce reliance on state custody of youth in favor of local alternatives. Using Ohio’s juvenile justice systems as a focal case, this study assessed reform initiatives on the reduction in youth incarceration and recidivism. Our analyses of 5,000 youths sampled from cases processed between 2008 and 2015 revealed a sustained trend in diverting youth from incarceration, most conspicuously among low risk youths. The diverted population, after adjusting for covariates through propensity score techniques, had lower rates of incarceration compared to the youths in state residential facilities. The outcome of the reform initiatives is discussed in terms of supporting redirection and reinvestment of finite resources and refining intervention strategies in implementing change in juvenile justice.

Social workers' experiences of psychological consultation on high risk youth: Helpful, unhelpful, and mediating elements.

Psychological consultation is a key means of informing care and practice with psychological theory and evidence. The current paper sought to investigate what elements of psychological consultation are useful for social workers when consulting on high-risk youth, due to the current gap in the literature. Seven social workers shared their experiences during one-to-one interviews. The data was analysed through thematic analysis and the emerging themes were organised into three categories: Helpful elements, such as a safe space, independent expertise, and a shared understanding; Unhelpful elements, including consultee anxiety and the unheard young person; A Mediating element in the form of feasible recommendations. The implications of these findings are discussed, as well as the limitations of this paper and recommendations for future research.

SNAP and Cardiometabolic Risk in Youth.

Increasing numbers of children and adolescents have unhealthy cardiometabolic risk factors and show signs of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS). Low-income populations tend to have higher levels of risk factors associated with MetS. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has the potential to reduce poverty and food insecurity, but little is known about how the program affects MetS. We examine the relationship between SNAP and the cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents using regression discontinuity to control for unobserved differences between participants and nonparticipants. We find that SNAP-eligible youth who experience food insecurity have significantly healthier outcomes compared to food-insecure youth just over the income-eligibility threshold. Our findings suggest that SNAP may be most beneficial to the most disadvantaged households. Policy makers should consider the broad range of potential health benefits of SNAP.

Associations between depression-relevant genetic risk and youth stress exposure: Evidence of gene-environment correlations.

Familial risk for depression is associated with youth exposure to self-generated dependent stressful life events and independent events that are out of youth's control. Familial risk includes both genetic and environmental influences, raising the question of whether genetic influences, specifically, are associated with youth exposure to both dependent and independent stressful life events. To address this question, this study examined the relation between a genome-wide association study (GWAS)-derived depression-based polygenic risk score (DEP-PRS) and youth experiences of dependent and independent stress. Participants were 180 youth (ages 8 to 14, 52.2% female) of European ancestry and their biological mothers recruited based on the presence versus absence of a history of major depressive disorder (MDD) in the mothers. Youth and mothers were interviewed every 6 months for 2 years regarding the occurrence of stressful life events, which were coded as independent or dependent (self-generated). Results indicated that youth's DEP-PRS and maternal history of MDD were uniquely associated with increased exposure to both dependent and independent events. Similar results were observed when examining major versus minor events separately, with the additional finding of a DEP-PRS × mother MDD interaction for major dependent events such that levels of moderate to severe dependent life stressors were highest among youth with high DEP-PRSs who also had mothers with MDD. These results not only support the presence of depression-relevant gene-environment correlations (rGEs), but also highlight the possibility that rather than only capturing depression-specific genetic liability, GWAS-derived polygenic risk scores may also capture genetic variance contributing to stress exposure. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Metabolome Alterations Linking Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake with Dyslipidemia in Youth: The Exploring Perinatal Outcomes among CHildren (EPOCH) Study.

The objective of this study was to assess intermediary metabolic alterations that link sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake to cardiometabolic (CM) risk factors in youth. A total of 597 participants from the multi-ethnic, longitudinal Exploring Perinatal Outcomes among CHildren (EPOCH) Study were followed in childhood (median 10 yrs) and adolescence (median 16 yrs). We used a multi-step approach: first, mixed models were used to examine the associations of SSB intake in childhood with CM measures across childhood and adolescence, which revealed a positive association between SSB intake and fasting triglycerides (β (95% CI) for the highest vs. lowest SSB quartile: 8.1 (−0.9,17.0); p-trend = 0.057). Second, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used to select 180 metabolite features (out of 767 features assessed by untargeted metabolomics) that were associated with SSB intake in childhood. Finally, 13 of these SSB-associated metabolites (from step two) were also prospectively associated with triglycerides across follow-up (from step one) in the same direction as with SSB intake (Bonferroni-adj. p < 0.0003). All annotated compounds were lipids, particularly dicarboxylated fatty acids, mono- and diacylglycerols, and phospholipids. In this diverse cohort, we identified a panel of lipid metabolites that may serve as intermediary biomarkers, linking SSB intake to dyslipidemia risk in youth.

Acceptability and feasibility of a gamified digital eating disorder early-intervention program (AcceptME) based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

BackgroundDigital early-intervention programs for a variety of psychological conditions, including eating disorders (EDs) are increasing. Yet, none to date have leveraged gamification and vicarious learning components grounded in empirically-supported therapeutic approaches to engage young people at risk for developing EDs in behaviour change. PurposeThe current paper describes the development and preliminary acceptability and feasibility testing of AcceptME, a novel self-directed, gamified digital ED early-intervention program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). AcceptME helps women and girls identified at risk for an ED relate differently to their thoughts and feelings, such that these experiences do not have undue influence over their behaviour and actions can instead be guided by personal values. MethodsUsers learned skills of psychological flexibility by helping a third-person avatar (a main character in a storyline) navigate situations that elicit distressing thoughts/feelings, and via interactive exercises, practiced applying these skills to their own experiences. Young women and girls in the Republic of Cyprus with high weight concern scores (N = 58, Mage = 15.27, SD = 2.25) completed six 30-min digital sessions and reported on session and intervention acceptability. ResultsAttrition was 46.55%. Of those who completed treatment, the majority of participants were either “Very” (40%) or “Mostly” (57%) Satisfied with the program. Fifty-two percent reported that the program “Helped a lot,” and 48% said it “Helped a bit.” Conclusion: Digital technology and gamification have advantages for engagement and delivery. The current study suggests a promising direction for early ED interventions to reach at risk youth and preliminary data to guide development.

Suicidal behavior, suicidal ideation and patterns among youths in Anywaa zone, Gambella, Southwest Ethiopia: a mixed-methods study

BackgroundSuicide is a major public health problem and for decades, it has remained one of the leading causes of injury and death worldwide. The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of suicidal behavior, suicidal ideation, and patterns among youth in the Anywaa zone of the Gambella regional state, Southwest Ethiopia.Methods and materialsA mixed-method study design was used in which a quantitative survey was conducted along with qualitative interviews and FGDs in the Anywaa zone. A total of 136 respondents were included in the survey study from the two woredas. The survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of suicidal behavior and ideations in a sample of preparatory school youth students. A pre-tested and structured questionnaire was used for the descriptive analysis. Qualitative information was also obtained through interviews and focus group discussions to identify the patterns of suicide and to gain more nuanced participants/ survivors’ experiences. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20, for which descriptive statistics were used. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsSuicidal behaviors and ideation were high among youths in the study area. In this study 62.3% of respondents reported they had heard others talk about their wish to die by suicide, 68 (64.2%) of youth said they had heard many youths claim that “I feel like there is no way out”, 48 (43.3%) reported having seen someone with the signs of planning a suicide such as obtaining a weapon or writing a suicide note. About 68 (64.2%) of participants said, “My family would be better off without me.” The majority of respondents were in the age groups ranging from 26 to 30 years. The results on the patterns of suicide attempts showed that hanging and drug overdose or poisoning were the most common patterns used by both men and women.ConclusionThe findings indicate that the prevalence of suicide-related behaviors and ideations was high among youths in the Anywaa zone. The results on the patterns of suicide attempts showed that hanging and drug overdose or poisoning were the most common patterns used by both men and women. As a result, we would like to recommend that Government, Non-Governmental Organizations NGOs, and Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs), along with health care providers and counselors should work together by creating awareness, and by establishing Programs that target youths. Meanwhile, early identification and management of suicide risk in youth should be strengthened.

423-P: Predictors of Epicardial Adipose Thickness in Overweight and Obese Youth with Type 1 Diabetes

Objectives: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) and risk factors for CVD are present early in the disease course. Epicardial adipose thickness (EAT) , a novel independent marker of CVD, is significantly increased in children with T1D compared to healthy controls. Obesity, a known CVD risk factor, is increasingly prevalent in the pediatric population and may confer additional risk in youth with T1D. The purpose of this study was to examine EAT in overweight/obese pediatric patients with T1D. Methods: This was a single-center, cross-sectional study of 37 youth with T1D and BMI &amp;gt; 85th percentile (BMI percentile=93.1±4.3, age 13.5y±3.4, 62.1% female) . Waist circumference, blood pressure, HbA1C and a 2D echocardiogram measuring EAT were obtained. Insulin resistance was calculated via estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) . Results: EAT was correlated with age (r=0.45, P=0.006) , BMI (r=0.58, P=0.0001) , waist circumference (r=0.64, P=0.0001) , and diastolic BP (r=0.37, P=0.023) , while inversely correlated with eGDR (r=-0.49, P 0.002) and most recent HDL level (r=-0.43, P=0.027) . There were no significant correlations between EAT and HbA1C (r=-0.01, P=0.9) or duration of diabetes (r=0.16, P=0.4) . After multivariate regression analysis, age and BMI were independent predictors explaining 43.7% of the variance in EAT (P=0.001) . Conclusions: EAT is associated with measures of adiposity and CVD risk, however, only age and BMI were independent predictors of EAT among overweight and obese youth with T1D. In addition to a focus on tight glycemic control to prevent CVD in overweight and obese youth with T1D, further studies are needed to investigate the impact of BMI lowering interventions on EAT. Disclosure L.Cielonko: None. M.Olson: None. A.A.Sabati: None. M.Chambers: None. D.Newbern: None. V.Chakravarthy: None. J.Schmidt: None. J.Mullen: None. N.Lutz: None. G.Q.Shaibi: None.

996-P: Systolic Blood Pressure (BP) Is Associated with Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) Independently of Type 2 Diabetes Predisposition in Minority Children

Background: Blood pressure and cholesterol levels have been associated with risk for atherosclerosis in youth. Family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMFam Hx) , and/or exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have also been linked to higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) susceptibility. We investigated whether CVD predictors including systolic and diastolic BP, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c) , LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c) , and triglycerides (Tg) were associated with CIMT and whether these relationships were influenced by DMFam Hx or exposure to in-utero GDM among children and adolescents with overweight and obesity. Methods: Participant data (N=209; age range 8-17; 38% African American and 62% Latino; BMI percentile ≥85th) were used for cross-sectional analysis. Status of DMFam Hx and GDM and were self-reported during an interview with a clinician. Systolic and diastolic BP were taken in a seated position in triplicate readings. Total cholesterol, HDL-c and Tg levels were determined via assays on fasting blood samples, while LDL-c was calculated using the Friedewald equation. CIMT was measured in millimeters with high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess if the each of the CVD predictors was associated with CIMT while accounting for GDM and DMFam Hx, and adjusting for a priori covariates of age, sex, ethnicity, and height. Results: Higher systolic BP was associated with higher CIMT when adjusted for a priori covariates (β= 0.00092; 95% CI: 0.00004, 0.00181; p=0.04) . In further adjusted models, GDM and DMFam Hx did not contribute to, nor did it moderate this relationship (p&amp;gt;0.05) . Diastolic BP, HDL-c, LDL-c, Tg, were not associated to CIMT in adjusted models (p&amp;gt;0.05) . Conclusion: Independent of genetic predisposition, systolic BP may be a salient contributor of atherosclerosis risk in minority youth with overweight and obesity living in urban environments. Disclosure V.Nunez: None. M.Weigensberg: None. C.M.Toledo-corral: None. Funding NIH P60MD00254

347-OR: Effects of a Diabetes Prevention Program among Latino Youth with Prediabetes

Introduction: Latino youth are disproportionately impacted by prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2D) . Lifestyle intervention is the first line approach for preventing or delaying T2D among adults with prediabetes. We assessed the efficacy of a diabetes prevention program among Latino youth with prediabetes. Methods: A total of 117 Latino youth (mean±SD, age 13.5±1.4) with prediabetes and obesity were randomized to lifestyle intervention (INT) or usual care (UC) . The 6-month INT (n=79) included 1 d/wk of nutrition education and training and 3 d/wk of physical activity. UC (n=38) included 2 visits with a pediatric endocrinologist and registered dietitian to discuss diabetes risks and healthy lifestyle changes. A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was used to assess glucose tolerance (2-h glucose) , insulin sensitivity (Matsuda Index) , and β-cell function (oral disposition index, oDI) at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Changes in outcomes were analyzed using latent difference scores models. Results: The INT led to significant decreases in 2-h glucose (mean±SE, from 144.5±3.4 to 132.2±3.4 mg/dL, p=0.002) and increases in insulin sensitivity (from 1.9±0.2 to 2.6±0.3, p=0.001) and oDI (from 4.5±0.3 to 5.5±0.4, p=0.035) at 6 months, but these changes were not significantly different from UC (interaction, p=0.260, p=0.79, and p=0.78, respectively) . Both INT (-15.4 mg/dL, p=0.002) and UC (-15.1 mg/dL, p=0.005) had significant 12-month reductions in 2-h glucose that did not differ significantly from each other (interaction, p=0.97) . INT led to significant increases in oDI (from 4.5±0.3 to 6.2±0.6, p=0.035) and non-significant increases in insulin sensitivity (from 1.9±0.2 to 2.3±0.2, p=0.060) at 12 months that did not differ from UC (interaction, p=0.66 and p=0.37, respectively) . Conclusion: Both INT and UC led to similar changes in T2D risk factors among high risk Latino youth. Diabetes prevention interventions that are effective in adults also appear to be effective in high risk youth. Disclosure A. Pena: None. M. Olson: None. S. Ayers: None. D.L. Patrick: Consultant; Allakos, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Grail, Philip Morris. F.G. Castro: None. E. Lish: None. W.C. Knowler: None. G.Q. Shaibi: None. Funding R01DK107579F31DK125037

Suicidal ideation and intentional self-inflicted injury in autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability: An examination of trends in youth emergency department visits in the United States from 2006 to 2014.

Youth suicide is a major problem in the United States and globally, but little is known about suicide risk in autistic youth and youth with intellectual disability specifically. Using data from the National Emergency Department Sample, which is the largest database of emergency department visits in the United States, we found that emergency department visits with a suicidal ideation or intentional self-inflicted injury diagnosis were more common in autistic youth and youth with intellectual disability than in youth without these diagnoses (i.e. the comparison group). This was true when examining both suicidal ideation diagnoses and intentional self-inflicted injury diagnoses at emergency department visits. In addition, the number of emergency department visits with a suicidal ideation or intentional self-inflicted injury diagnosis increased more from 2006 to 2014 in autistic youth and youth with intellectual disability compared with the comparison group. We also found both similarities and differences when examining factors, such as age, sex, and co-occurring mental health conditions, related to emergency department visits with a suicidal ideation or intentional self-inflicted injury diagnosis across groups that may be helpful for understanding suicide risk. It is urgent that we improve our understanding, assessment, and treatment of suicidality and self-harm in these groups through more research and clinical efforts.

Risk for social anxiety in early adolescence: Longitudinal impact of pubertal development, appearance comparisons, and peer connections.

ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to determine the impact of adolescent-relevant risk factors on changes in social anxiety symptoms from pre-to early-adolescence. MethodsFrom 2016 to 2018, 528 youth (51% boys) were tested in three annual waves across grades 6, 7, and 8 (M ages 11.2, 12.7, 13.7 years). Through online surveys youth reported on peer relationships that were combined into two latent factors: 1) appearance comparisons, comprising youth reports of appearance comparisons relative to others in general and while using social media, along with perceived attractiveness; and 2) positive peer connections, comprising youth reports of group affiliation, school belonging, and peer victimisation. Youth and their parents also reported on the youth's level of pubertal development as well as the youth's level of social anxiety using previously validated questionnaires. Social anxiety was also assessed with structured diagnostic interview. ResultsSeparate cross-lagged panel models were used to model longitudinal associations between all risk factors and youth, parent, and interviewer-reported measures of social anxiety. Of the associations tested, only appearance comparisons directly predicted increases in social anxiety symptoms 12 months later across all models. More advanced pubertal development was associated with increased appearance comparisons the following year. On the other hand, higher levels of social anxiety predicted subsequent reductions in positive peer connections in parent and interviewer models. ConclusionsThese results highlight the important and interconnected impact of pubertal development and appearance comparisons on both the development of social anxiety symptoms during early adolescence, as well as the social consequences of social anxiety.

Gender Differences in the Prevalence and Predictive Validity of Protective Factors in a Sample of Justice-Involved Youth

Research on strengths and violent behavior in justice-involved youth suggests that the prevalence and predictive validity of strength factors vary as a function of gender. Interviews conducted between 2009 and 2012 with 185 justice-involved Canadian youth ( N female = 84, N male = 101; 67% violent index offence) were coded retrospectively using two strength measures for violence prediction: the protective domain of the Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth (SAVRY), and the Structured Assessment of Protective Factors-Youth Version (SAPROF-YV). Males exhibited more protective factors than females across measures. Both tools were strong predictors of general recidivism in males but not females. The SAVRY protective domain was predictive of violent recidivism in males, but the SAPROF-YV was not; neither was predictive of violent recidivism in females. This study demonstrates gender differences in the prevalence and predictive validity of strengths in justice-involved youth and highlights the need for more female-focused research and measures.

The two continua model for life skills teaching

ABSTRACT Life skills refer to a person’s ability to do life well through the successful completion of everyday tasks and a meaningful engagement at school, at work, at home and in the community. However, several scholars have critiqued existing approaches to life skills teaching in sport, often situated as individualistic and focused on economic productivity and integration in predetermined social orders. For the teaching of life skills in sport to instigate social change, coaching approaches must consider broader structures of power, privilege and oppression. The purpose of the paper is to propose a two continua model coalescing implicit/explicit approaches and normative/transformative dimensions of how coaches can teach life skills through sport. The model is designed to account for how coaches can be implicit or explicit in their approaches to teaching life skills, doing so in manners that can be normative or transformative. Within each of the model’s quarter-circles, examples are offered as to how coaches can teach life skills in approaches considered normative implicit, normative explicit, transformative implicit and transformative explicit. In the transformative explicit quarter-circle, the concept of social justice life skills is expanded to include dignity, reciprocity, transformative leadership and critical consciousness. Implications for research and practice are offered in terms of situating youth development from a relational perspective and positioning transformative change as a complex process that carries certain challenges and risks for coaches and youth. The two continua model for life skills teaching offers researchers and coaches a conceptual framework that delineates actions that can be taken to enact transformative pedagogies, while also opening new horizons for what life skills can become when envisioned with social change in mind.

Violence Exposure and Amygdala-Prefrontal Circuit Maturation: Developmental Markers of Psychiatric Risk in Youth

Childhood violence exposure imparts potent risk for psychopathology. Prior work suggests that abnormal amygdala-prefrontal cortex (PFC) maturation may underlie risk after exposure. This study used advanced modeling to analyze individual differences in amygdala-PFC circuit maturity and the relation to violence and psychiatric risk.

P403. Mapping Normative Trajectories of Cognitive Function and its Relation to Psychopathology Symptoms and Genetic Risk in Youth

Adolescence hosts a sharp increase in the incidence of mental disorders. The prodromal phases are often characterized by cognitive deficits which predate disease onset by several years. Characterization of cognitive performance in relation to normative trajectories may have value for early risk assessment and monitoring.