Emerging depression in adolescence coincides with accelerated frontal cortical thinning

Abstract

BackgroundAdolescence is a transition period characterized by heightened emotional reactivity, which for some sets the stage for emerging depressive symptoms. Prior studies suggest that adolescent depression is associated with deviant cortical and subcortical brain structure. Longitudinal studies are, however, currently scarce, but critical to detect which adolescents are at risk for developing depressive symptoms.MethodsIn this longitudinal study, a community sample of 205 participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in three biennial waves (522 scans) spanning 5 years across ages 8–25 years. Depressive symptomatology was assessed using self‐report at the third time point. Mixed models were used to examine the relations between structural brain development, specifically regional change in cortical thickness, surface area and subcortical volumes (hippocampus and amygdala), and depressive symptoms.ResultsAccelerated frontal lobe cortical thinning was observed in adolescents who developed depressive symptoms at the third time point. This effect remained after controlling for parent‐reported affective problems at the first time point. Moreover, the effect was driven by specific lateral orbitofrontal and precentral regions. In addition, differential developmental trajectories of parietal cortical thickness and surface area in several regions were found for participants reporting higher depressive symptomatology, but these results did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. Volumes or developmental volume changes in hippocampus or amygdala were not related to depressive symptoms.ConclusionsThis study showed that emerging depression is associated with cortical thinning in frontal regions within individuals. These findings move beyond detecting cross‐sectional correlations and set the stage for early detection, which may inform future intervention.

Household overcrowding and psychological distress among Nunavik Inuit adolescents: a longitudinal study

“…During adolescence, many other factors not included in the present study can influence the experience of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts, thus diminishing the relative prominence of household overcrowding as a causal factor. Identity and personality maturation [50] as well as brain development [51] are characteristics of this period that can lead to distress in all adolescents. However, some other factors are more prevalent for Inuit children and adolescents because of the culture and the historical context unique to Nunavik.…”

Longitudinal structural brain development and externalizing behavior in adolescence

“…This study was part of the longitudinal research project BrainTime (Becht et al, 2018;Bos, Peters, van de Kamp, Crone, & Tamnes, 2018;Peper, Braams, Blankenstein, Bos, & Crone, 2018;Peters & Crone, 2017;Schreuders et al, 2018;Wierenga et al, 2018), conducted in Leiden, The Netherlands. For this study, a community sample of children, adolescents, and young adults were recruited from local schools and advertisement.…”

Brain-predicted age associates with psychopathology dimensions in youth

“…Longitudinal studies report delayed or attenuated cortical maturation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (8), and in youth with internalizing (9,10), and externalizing (10) symptoms. Conversely, increased cortical thinning or volume loss associates with depression in adolescence (11), and over the transition to and onset of psychosis (12)(13)(14)(15). Aberrant development of subcortical volumes (11,16,17) and white matter (16,18), also relate to psychopathology, though the specific changes vary across studies.…”

“…Conversely, increased cortical thinning or volume loss associates with depression in adolescence (11), and over the transition to and onset of psychosis (12)(13)(14)(15). Aberrant development of subcortical volumes (11,16,17) and white matter (16,18), also relate to psychopathology, though the specific changes vary across studies. These findings suggest that deviation from normative patterns of brain development is important in the emergence of psychopathology in youth.…”