A fundamental component of brain development is the formation of large-scale networks across the cortex. One such network, the default network, undergoes a protracted development, displaying weak connectivity in childhood that strengthens in adolescence and becomes most robust in adulthood. Little is known about the genetic contributions to default network connectivity in adulthood or during… Continue reading The impact of serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR) genotype on the development of resting-state functional connectivity in children and adolescents: a preliminary report
Keyword: Computer-Assisted
Age-related effect of serotonin transporter genotype on amygdala and prefrontal cortex function in adolescence
The S and LG alleles of the serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) lower serotonin transporter expression. These low-expressing alleles are linked to increased risk for depression and brain activation patterns found in depression (increased amygdala activation and decreased amygdala-prefrontal cortex connectivity). Paradoxically, serotonin transporter blockade relieves depression symptoms. Rodent models suggest that decreased serotonin transporter… Continue reading Age-related effect of serotonin transporter genotype on amygdala and prefrontal cortex function in adolescence
Relationship between trait anxiety, prefrontal cortex, and attention bias to angry faces in children and adolescents
Using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with a visual-probe task that assesses attention to threat, we investigated the cognitive and neurophysiological correlates of trait anxiety in youth. During fMRI acquisition, 16 healthy children and adolescents viewed angry-neutral face pairs and responded to a probe that was on the same (angry-congruent) or opposite (angry-incongruent) side… Continue reading Relationship between trait anxiety, prefrontal cortex, and attention bias to angry faces in children and adolescents
Adolescent immaturity in attention-related brain engagement to emotional facial expressions
Selective attention, particularly during the processing of emotionally evocative events, is a crucial component of adolescent development. We used functional magnetic resonance imagining (fMRI) with adolescents and adults to examine developmental differences in activation in a paradigm that involved selective attention during the viewing of emotionally engaging face stimuli. We evaluated developmental differences in neural… Continue reading Adolescent immaturity in attention-related brain engagement to emotional facial expressions
Amygdala function and 5-HTT gene variants in adolescent anxiety and major depressive disorder
BACKGROUND: Associations between a functional polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene and amygdala activation have been found in healthy, depressed, and anxious adults. This study explored these gene-brain associations in adolescents by examining predictive effects of serotonin transporter gene variants (S and L(G) allele carriers vs. L(A) allele homozygotes) and their interaction with diagnosis (healthy… Continue reading Amygdala function and 5-HTT gene variants in adolescent anxiety and major depressive disorder
Amygdala and nucleus accumbens in responses to receipt and omission of gains in adults and adolescents
Adolescents' propensity for risk-taking and reward-seeking behaviors suggests a heightened sensitivity for reward, reflected by greater feedback-related activity changes in reward circuitry (e.g., nucleus accumbens), and/or a lower sensitivity to potential harm reflected by weaker feedback-related activity changes in avoidance circuitry (e.g., amygdala) relative to adults. Responses of nucleus accumbens and amygdala to valenced outcomes… Continue reading Amygdala and nucleus accumbens in responses to receipt and omission of gains in adults and adolescents
The autism brain imaging data exchange: towards a large-scale evaluation of the intrinsic brain architecture in autism
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) represent a formidable challenge for psychiatry and neuroscience because of their high prevalence, lifelong nature, complexity and substantial heterogeneity. Facing these obstacles requires large-scale multidisciplinary efforts. Although the field of genetics has pioneered data sharing for these reasons, neuroimaging had not kept pace. In response, we introduce the Autism Brain Imaging… Continue reading The autism brain imaging data exchange: towards a large-scale evaluation of the intrinsic brain architecture in autism
Engagement and retention: Measuring breadth and depth of participant use of an online intervention
Background: The Internet provides us with tools (user metrics or paradata) to evaluate how users interact with online interventions. Analysis of these paradata can lead to design improvements. Objective: The objective was to explore the qualities of online participant engagement in an online intervention. We analyzed the paradata in a randomized controlled trial of alternative… Continue reading Engagement and retention: Measuring breadth and depth of participant use of an online intervention