Research GoalsUsing cross-sectional data we will test whether control and affective brain regions follow different developmental time courses. The first study will focus on the development of inhibitory control (stimulus-driven and intentional),…
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GEEN AANDOENING! gezonde hersontwikkeling: hersenfunctie, hersenstructuur en gedrag
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
The primary objective of these studies is to understand how the developmental
changes in different regions of the brain are important for cognitive and
emotional decision-making at different stages of development. To this end, we
will acquire fMRI, sMRI and DTI data and behavioral responses of participants
aged 8-25 years. Furthermore, these studies will be complemented with heart
rate and skin conductance measures and with performance outside of the scanner
on a battery of tests.
Secondary outcome
The goals of the current set of studies are to use functional Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to:
1. Identify brain regions that are associated with developmental changes in
functions that may contribute to developmental changes in cognitive and
emotional decision-making using three cross-sectional studies
2. Identify the relationship between striatal responsiveness and prefrontal
regulatory processing
Background summary
Adolescence is a highly important transition phase between childhood and
adulthood, marked by significant physical, cognitive, and social-emotional
changes (Dahl and Gunnar, 2009; Steinberg et al., 2008). The onset of
adolescence is characterized by the start of pubertal maturation around the age
of 10 years, during which children undergo rapid physical growth and experience
the onset of sexual maturation (Shirtcliff et al., 2009). One of the most
salient characterizations of adolescence is a steady increase in executive
functioning, or the ability to control our thoughts and actions to make them
consistent with internal goals. Executive functions are thought to be central
to human cognition (Miller and Cohen, 2001), and therefore adolescence can be
seen as a period of significant advancements. A fundamental question in the
current research proposal concerns how these changes in cognitive and
social-emotional behavior are related to functional brain development. The
current proposal has the objective to understand how these functions and neural
underpinnings develop relative to each others within individuals.
Study objective
Research Goals
Using cross-sectional data we will test whether control and affective brain
regions follow different developmental time courses. The first study will focus
on the development of inhibitory control (stimulus-driven and intentional),
which is thought to be the main component of our monitoring system and relies
strongly on prefrontal cortex. The second study will focus on reward
anticipation, which is thought to be important for affective
processes and relies strongly on the limbic system, especially the striatum and
prefrontal cortex. The third study will combine these studies and will focus on
the interaction between inhibitory control and reward processing.
Study design
The proposed research will be double blind. All subjects will be coded; these
codes will be applied for all research measures (MRI-scans, test-battery
performance etc.).
The subjects will perform standard test-batteries of cognition and emotional
decisionmaking. Furthermore, to get an estimate of IQ, a shortened version of
the WISC/WAIS will be applied to the subjects.
The MRI-scans:
1. Structural MRI, to gain information on gray and white matter properties
(volume, density and cortical thickness)
2. DTI, to gain specific information on white matter microstructure and
fibertracking
3. Functional MRI, to gain information on task-related brain activity during
cognitive and emotional decisionmaking.-emotionele taken.
Study burden and risks
There are no risks concerning this research project.
See also pages 24-27
Wassenaarseweg 52
2333 AK Leiden
NL
Wassenaarseweg 52
2333 AK Leiden
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
See also page 17 in the protocol
1. Healthy children, adolescents and young adults without a history of neurological disorders
2. Right-handed
3. No counter-indications for MRI
4. Native Dutch speakers
Exclusion criteria
1. Lefthanded
2. A history of psychiatric and/or neurological disorders
3. Counter-indications for MRI (such as metal implants, heart arrhythmia, claustrophobia, and possible pregnancy
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL34206.058.10 |