Making connections: Neurodevelopmental changes in brain connectivity after adverse experiences in early adolescence
Image of white tracts adapted from Kievit et al. (2016)
In our recent study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, we utilized data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study to examine the relationship between adverse experiences and brain connectivity during early adolescence. The large-scale longitudinal study included approximately 12,000 participants aged 9-13 years.
Using fractional anisotropy (FA) measurements of white matter tracts, we assessed structural brain connectivity at two timepoints. We used K-Means clustering and Latent Basis Growth Models (LBGM) to identify subgroups based on total levels and trajectories of brain connectivity. Multinomial regression was then used to determine associations between cluster membership and adverse experiences, including family conflict and traumatic events.
Key findings revealed that higher family conflict was associated with increased FA levels across multiple brain tracts, including the corpus callosum, fornix, and anterior thalamic radiations. Conversely, lower socioeconomic status and perceived neighborhood safety were linked to decreasing FA trajectories between the two imaging timepoints.
These results highlight a complex relationship between adverse experiences and brain development during early adolescence. The study underscores the importance of investigating adverse experiences beyond early childhood to better understand lifespan developmental outcomes and potential neurodevelopmental pathways linking adversity to mental health.