The Neural Basis and Predictors of Wellbeing during the transition from Adolescence to Adulthood

Adolescence is well known for its rise in emotional reactivity, both in terms
of frequency and intensity (Dahl, 2004; Duell et al., 2016). Traditionally,
emotional reactivity has been linked to maladaptive adolescent behaviors such
as alcohol and substance abuse, anxiety, and depression. Adolescence is also
the time when most affective psychiatric disorders emerge (Paus, Keshavan, &
Giedd, 2008). Together, these findings have led to the hypothesis that
adolescence may be a sensitive period for negative developmental consequences.
At the same time adolescence is also considered to be a period of resilience
and flexibility (Crone & Dahl, 2012; Dahl, 2004). Recently, researchers have
argued that the behavioural and neural changes in emotional reactivity also
pose opportunities for positive development, such as increases in cooperation,
sharing and helping (Telzer, 2016). Possibly, emotional reactivity results in
negative or positive developmental trajectories depending on the environment in
which adolescents grow up (Schriber & Guyer, 2015). It is currently unclear how
this period of intensified emotional reactivity, resilience, and flexibility,
is associated with general wellbeing. In the present project, we aim to examine
the neural basis of a novel adolescent wellbeing paradigm, which has been
developed in co-creation with adolescents and young adults. In addition, we
will investigate whether individual differences in structural brain development
and heightened emotional reactivity across adolescence (i.e., ventral striatal
activation in response to rewards to the self) predict better wellbeing during
adulthood.

The aim of the study is two-fold: (i) to test the neural basis of
domain-specific aspects of wellbeing among adolescents and adults, and (ii) to
examine how individual differences in neural emotional reactivity (based on
previously acquired data) during adolescence contribute to optimal growth in
terms of wellbeing during adulthood.

This study is a follow-up of the Braintime project, which took place at the
Brain and Development Research Center at Leiden University and at the Leiden
University Medical Center (approved by the Medical Ethics Committee at the
Leiden University Medical Center; NL34234.058.10; P10.191). Braintime is a
unique 12-year longitudinal study, with a two-year interval, that combines
hormone data, neuroimaging, behavioral experiments, and questionnaires to study
developmental changes from childhood to adolescents and eventually adulthood.
Participants' ages ranged from 8 - 25 years when they first started in 2011 (N
= 299). Insofar the Braintime project has had two additional waves,
respectively in 2013 (N = 254) and 2015 (N = 243). In the present project,
participants will perform computerised tasks related to reward processing and
wellbeing. Neural activation will be measured using functional Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (fMRI) while the participants are performing the tasks.
Resting-state fMRI will be used to assess functional connectivity. We will use
structural MRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) to measure underlying brain
anatomical processes. In addition, we will measure social and cognitive
functioning on a battery of questionnaires and tasks outside of the scanner.
All measurements are non-invasive.

There are no known risks associated with participating in the proposed
measurement. MRI is a non-invasive technique involving no catheterizations or
introduction of exogenous tracers. Numerous children and adults have undergone
magnetic resonance studies without apparent harmful consequences. Some people
become claustrophobic while inside the magnet and in these cases the study will
be terminated immediately at the subject's request. The only absolute
contraindications to MRI studies are the presence of intracranial or
intraocular metal, or a pacemaker. Relative contraindications include pregnancy
and claustrophobia. Subjects who may be pregnant, who may have metallic foreign
bodies in the eyes or head, or who have cardiac pacemakers will be excluded
because of potential contraindications of MRI in such subjects. 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. This knowledge will aid in our understanding of environmental and
individual differences in typical development and how this might contribute to
the onset of mental health problems.