Neural control of social emotional behaviour as a function of puberty

Socio-emotional control is critical in daily societal functioning. In stressful
or threatening situations this control can fail, with chronic failures
underlying aggression- and anxiety-related disorders. This study will examine
the development of neural activation patterns related to socio-emotional
control. Previous neuroimaging studies have indicated that adolescence is a
critical transition phase where socio-emotional control shifts from subcortical
to cortical control. However, the onset of this shift in adolescence has never
been investigated. We will therefore examine neural control of social-emotional
actions at age 12, which constitutes a critical phase in the transition from
childhood to adolescence.

The BIBO cohort (Basal Influences on the Baby*s Development; Dutch: *Basale
Invloed op de Baby Ontwikkeling*; PI: Prof. Carolina de Weerth) offers a unique
possibility to test this transition and its impact on stress coping, symptoms,
and social-affective behavior and executive control. The current study is a
follow-up of a previous developmental study of social-emotional control from
mid to late adolescence (14-17 years; CMO 2014/104, 2010/420). We now have the
unique opportunity to investigate the developmental status of exactly the same
neural circuits in pre-adolescents (age 12) in this parallel longitudinal
study.

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the neuro-endocrine
development of socio-emotional control related to automatic emotional action
tendencies, the structural maturation of the brain, and how these contribute to
cognitive control across adolescence. To this end, participants of the BIBO
cohort, on average 12 years of age, will perform a social-emotional control
task (previously approved for adolescents by CMO 2014/104; 2010/420). A
secondary goal of the study is to relate individual differences in
socio-emotional control, including their neural-endocrine correlates to 1)
various measures of functioning and adjustment (i.e. stress sensitivity,
aggression/anxiety tendencies) assessed at age 12, as well as; 2) earlier
measures within the longitudinal study acquired from infancy (and prenatally)
through childhood.

This is a consecutive wave of an ongoing longitudinal study. Participants of
the BIBO cohort will be asked to complete a task assessing socio-emotional
control in the MRI scanner while their brain activity is measured using
functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. We will also acquire structural scans.

The risk of participation in this (f)MRI study can be considered negligible
with a minimal burden on the participants. This is a noninvasive technique,
which has been used in children from 8 years of age. Before definite inclusion
the participant will fill out an MRI questionnaire to determine whether the
individual can participate, including all aspects of MRI contra-indication and
claustrophobia. Although there is no direct benefit to the participants from
this proposed research, there are greater benefits to society from the
potential knowledge gained from this study. The knowledge about normal
development is critical in understanding cases of abnormal development in order
to create more effective preventive and therapeutic techniques.