Developmental Brain Changes in Adolescents
Adolescence is broadly defined as the transition from childhood to adulthood. It is a key period for neural changes, including maturation of the brain's cognitive networks. This period is also associated with increased vulnerability to psychopathology. The incidence of psychiatric disorders increases exponentially from adolescence to adulthood, with 75% of cases being diagnosed before the age of 24 years. It is therefore critical to understand the impact of adolescent development on brain network architecture and the mechanisms that may lead to the onset of a mental health disorder. In this context, the aim of this project is to combine structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data with cognitive and behavioral information to provide an integrative view of the brain networks changes throughout adolescence and early adulthood. By mapping the brain networks in this critical age window, this work has the potential to elucidate how alteration of the brain networks contributes to psychiatric traits and risk to develop psychiatric disorders in adolescents and young adults.
For this project, we are currently recruiting healthy volunteers between the age of 12 and 25. This study involves one visit during which you will play some computer games and have a free brain MRI scan. Financial compensation is provided.
Participate
Our studies are actively seeking participants for research studies. Please fill out the form below if you would like to sign up. If you have any questions about participation, please email BRAIC.Lab@boystown.org or call (531) 355-6703 and we will get back to you.
Relevant Publications:
G. E. Doucet, S. Baker, T. W. Wilson, M. Kurz (2021) Weaker connectivity of the cortical networks is linked with the uncharacteristic gait in youth with cerebral palsy. Brain Sciences. 11(8), 1065.
D. A. Moser, M. Dricu, R. Kotikalapudi, G. E. Doucet, T. Aue (2021) Reduced network integration in default mode and executive networks is associated with social and personal optimism biases. Human Brain Mapping. 42 (9): 2893-2906.
P. Vidal-Ribas, D. Janiri, G. E. Doucet, N. Pornpattananangkul, D. Nielson, S. Frangou, A. Stringaris. (2021) Multimodal neuroimaging and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in a US population-based sample of school-aged children. American Journal of Psychiatry. 178 (4):321-332.
A. Modabbernia, D. Janiri, G. E. Doucet, A. Reichenberg, S. Frangou. (2021) Multivariate patterns of brain-behavior -environment associations in the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. Biological Psychiatry. 89:510-520.
