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Zerrouk M, Ann Bell M. Examining Conduct Problems in a Community Sample during Middle Childhood: The Role of Frontal EEG Asymmetry, Temperament, and Working Memory. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2024; 52:1119-1133. [PMID: 38502403 PMCID: PMC11217093 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-024-01191-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Previous literature shows that aspects of temperament, executive functioning, and EEG frontal asymmetry are related to externalizing behaviors in children. We examined whether frontal EEG asymmetry measured at age 6 would moderate the impact of negative affectivity, attentional control, and working memory at age 6 on conduct problems at age 9. Behavioral tasks were given to assess children's attentional control and working memory. Parents completed questionnaires about their children's negative affectivity and conduct problems. Results showed that greater negative affectivity reported at age 6 predicted for more conduct problems reported at age 9, regardless of EEG frontal asymmetry. Lower levels of attentional control and working memory at age 6 predicted for more conduct problems reported at age 9 when children also exhibited greater left EEG frontal asymmetry, which has been linked to approach motivation. These findings illustrate the importance of assessing multiple intrinsic factors, both independent and interactive, that contribute to children's conduct problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Zerrouk
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, 890 Drillfield Dr., Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA.
| | - Martha Ann Bell
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, 890 Drillfield Dr., Blacksburg, VA, 24060, USA
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2
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Hernandez A, Sania A, Bowers ME, Leach SC, McSweeney M, Yoder L, Fifer W, Elliott AJ, Shuffrey L, Rauh V, Him DA, Fox NA, Morales S. Examining the impact of prenatal maternal internalizing symptoms and socioeconomic status on children's frontal alpha asymmetry and psychopathology. Dev Psychobiol 2024; 66:e22476. [PMID: 38433442 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Prenatal maternal internalizing psychopathology (depression and anxiety) and socioeconomic status (SES) have been independently associated with higher risk for internalizing and externalizing problems in children. However, the pathways behind these associations are not well understood. Numerous studies have linked greater right frontal alpha asymmetry to internalizing problems; however, findings have been mixed. Several studies have also linked maternal internalizing psychopathology to children's frontal alpha asymmetry. Additionally, emerging studies have linked SES to children's frontal alpha asymmetry. To date, only a limited number of studies have examined these associations within a longitudinal design, and the majority have utilized relatively small samples. The current preregistered study utilizes data from a large prospective study of young children (N = 415; Meanage = 7.27 years; Rangeage = 5-11 years) to examine the association between prenatal maternal internalizing symptoms, children's frontal alpha asymmetry, and behavior problems. Prenatal maternal internalizing symptoms did not predict children's frontal alpha asymmetry, and there was no association between frontal alpha asymmetry and behavior problems. However, mothers' internalizing symptoms during pregnancy predicted children's internalizing and externalizing outcomes. Non-preregistered analyses showed that lower prenatal maternal SES predicted greater child right frontal alpha asymmetry and internalizing problems. Additional non-preregistered analyses did not find evidence for frontal alpha asymmetry as a moderator of the relation between prenatal maternal internalizing psychopathology and SES to children's behavior problems. Future research should examine the impact of SES on children's frontal alpha asymmetry in high-risk samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Hernandez
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ayesha Sania
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Maureen E Bowers
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland - College Park, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Stephanie C Leach
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Marco McSweeney
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland - College Park, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Lydia Yoder
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland - College Park, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - William Fifer
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Amy J Elliott
- Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
| | - Lauren Shuffrey
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Virginia Rauh
- Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Nathan A Fox
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland - College Park, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Santiago Morales
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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3
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Arnett AB, Guiney H, Bakir-Demir T, Trudgen A, Schierding W, Reid V, O'Sullivan J, Gluckman P, Reese E, Poulton R. Resting EEG correlates of neurodevelopment in a socioeconomically and linguistically diverse sample of toddlers: Wave 1 of the Kia Tīmata Pai best start New Zealand study. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2024; 65:101336. [PMID: 38157733 PMCID: PMC10790011 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2023.101336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Development of communication and self-regulation skills is fundamental to psychosocial maturation in childhood. The Kia Tīmata Pai Best Start (KTP) longitudinal study aims to promote these skills through interventions delivered at early childcare centers across New Zealand. In addition to evaluating effects of the interventions on behavioral and cognitive outcomes, the study utilizes electroencephalography (EEG) to characterize cortical development in a subsample of participating children. Here, we present results of the baseline resting EEG assessment with 193 children aged 15 to 33 months. We identified EEG correlates of individual differences in demographics, communication abilities, and temperament. We obtained communication and behavior ratings from multiple informants, and we applied contemporary analytic methods to the EEG data. Periodic spectral power adjusted for aperiodic activity was most closely associated with demographic, language, and behavioral measures. As in previous studies, gamma power was positively associated with verbal language. Alpha power was positively associated with effortful control. Nonverbal and verbal language measures showed distinct associations with EEG indices, as did the three temperament domains. Our results identified a number of candidate EEG measurements for use as longitudinal markers of optimal cortical development and response to interventions in the KTP cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne B Arnett
- Developmental Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Hayley Guiney
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - Anita Trudgen
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - William Schierding
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Vincent Reid
- School of Psychology, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | | | - Peter Gluckman
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Elaine Reese
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Richie Poulton
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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4
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Neuhaus E, Santhosh M, Kresse A, Aylward E, Bernier R, Bookheimer S, Jeste S, Jack A, McPartland JC, Naples A, Van Horn JD, Pelphrey K, Webb SJ. Frontal EEG alpha asymmetry in youth with autism: Sex differences and social-emotional correlates. Autism Res 2023; 16:2364-2377. [PMID: 37776030 PMCID: PMC10840952 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
In youth broadly, EEG frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) associates with affective style and vulnerability to psychopathology, with relatively stronger right activity predicting risk for internalizing and externalizing behaviors. In autistic youth, FAA has been related to ASD diagnostic features and to internalizing symptoms. Among our large, rigorously characterized, sex-balanced participant group, we attempted to replicate findings suggestive of altered FAA in youth with an ASD diagnosis, examining group differences and impact of sex assigned at birth. Second, we examined relations between FAA and behavioral variables (ASD features, internalizing, and externalizing) within autistic youth, examining effects by sex. Third, we explored whether the relation between FAA, autism features, and mental health was informed by maternal depression history. In our sample, FAA did not differ by diagnosis, age, or sex. However, youth with ASD had lower total frontal alpha power than youth without ASD. For autistic females, FAA and bilateral frontal alpha power correlated with social communication features, but not with internalizing or externalizing symptoms. For autistic males, EEG markers correlated with social communication features, and with externalizing behaviors. Exploratory analyses by sex revealed further associations between youth FAA, behavioral indices, and maternal depression history. In summary, findings suggest that individual differences in FAA may correspond to social-emotional and mental health behaviors, with different patterns of association for females and males with ASD. Longitudinal consideration of individual differences across levels of analysis (e.g., biomarkers, family factors, and environmental influences) will be essential to parsing out models of risk and resilience among autistic youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Neuhaus
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute; Center on Child Health, Behavior & Development
- University of Washington Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
| | - Megha Santhosh
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute; Center on Child Health, Behavior & Development
| | - Anna Kresse
- Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health
| | - Elizabeth Aylward
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Center for Integrative Brain Research
| | | | - Susan Bookheimer
- University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, Dept. of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences
- University of California Los Angeles, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center
| | - Shafali Jeste
- University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, Dept. of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences
- University of California Los Angeles, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center
| | | | | | | | - John D. Van Horn
- University of Virginia, Dept. of Psychology
- University of Virginia, School of Data Science
| | - Kevin Pelphrey
- University of Virginia, Dept. of Psychology
- University of Virginia, Dept. of Neurology, Brain Institute & School of Education & Human Development
| | - Sara Jane Webb
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute; Center on Child Health, Behavior & Development
- University of Washington Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
- University of Washington, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center
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Xie YH, Zhang YM, Fan FF, Song XY, Liu L. Functional role of frontal electroencephalogram alpha asymmetry in the resting state in patients with depression: A review. World J Clin Cases 2023; 11:1903-1917. [PMID: 36998965 PMCID: PMC10044961 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i9.1903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression is a psychological disorder that affects the general public worldwide. It is particularly important to make an objective and accurate diagnosis of depression, and the measurement methods of brain activity have gradually received increasing attention. Resting electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha asymmetry in patients with depression shows changes in activation of the alpha frequency band of the left and right frontal cortices. In this paper, we review the findings of the relationship between frontal EEG alpha asymmetry in the resting state and depression. Based on worldwide studies, we found the following: (1) Compared with individuals without depression, those with depression showed greater right frontal EEG alpha asymmetry in the resting state. However, the pattern of frontal EEG alpha asymmetry in the resting state in depressive individuals seemed to disappear with age; (2) Compared with individuals without maternal depression, those with maternal depression showed greater right frontal EEG alpha asymmetry in the resting state, which indicated that genetic or experience-based influences have an impact on frontal EEG alpha asymmetry at rest; and (3) Frontal EEG alpha asymmetry in the resting state was stable, and little or no change occurred after antidepressant treatment. Finally, we concluded that the contrasting results may be due to differences in methodology, clinical characteristics, and participant characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hong Xie
- Psychology College of Teacher Education, Center of Group Behavior and Social Psychological Service, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ye-Min Zhang
- Psychology College of Teacher Education, Center of Group Behavior and Social Psychological Service, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Fan-Fan Fan
- Psychology College of Teacher Education, Center of Group Behavior and Social Psychological Service, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xi-Yan Song
- Psychology College of Teacher Education, Center of Group Behavior and Social Psychological Service, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Psychology College of Teacher Education, Center of Group Behavior and Social Psychological Service, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, Zhejiang Province, China
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Kelsey CM, Modico MA, Richards JE, Enlow MB, Nelson CA. Frontal asymmetry assessed in infancy using functional near-infrared spectroscopy is associated with emotional and behavioral problems in early childhood. Child Dev 2023; 94:563-578. [PMID: 36428283 PMCID: PMC9992105 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Frontal asymmetry (FA), the difference in brain activity between the left versus right frontal areas, is thought to reflect approach versus avoidance motivation. This study (2012-2021) used functional near-infrared spectroscopy to investigate if infant (Mage = 7.63 months; N = 90; n = 48 male; n = 75 White) FA in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex relates to psychopathology in later childhood (Mage = 62.05 months). Greater right FA to happy faces was associated with increased internalizing (η2 = .09) and externalizing (η2 = .06) problems at age 5 years. Greater right FA to both happy and fearful faces was associated with an increased likelihood of a lifetime anxiety diagnosis (R2 > .13). FA may be an informative and early-emerging marker for psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline M. Kelsey
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Margaret A. Modico
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - John E. Richards
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Michelle Bosquet Enlow
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Charles A. Nelson
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, MA, United States
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7
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Hofstee M, Huijding J, Cuevas K, Deković M. Self-regulation and frontal EEG alpha activity during infancy and early childhood: A multilevel meta-analysis. Dev Sci 2022; 25:e13298. [PMID: 35737962 DOI: 10.1111/desc.13298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Integrating behavioral and neurophysiological measures has created new and advanced ways to understand the development of self-regulation. Electroencephalography (EEG) has been used to examine how self-regulatory processes are related to frontal alpha power during infancy and early childhood. However, findings across previous studies have been inconsistent. To address this issue, the current meta-analysis synthesized all prior literature examining associations between individual differences in self-regulation and frontal EEG alpha power (baseline and/or task). In total, 23 studies consisting of 1275 participants between 1 month and 6 years of age were included, which yielded 149 effect sizes. Findings of the three-level meta-analytic model demonstrated a non-significant overall association between self-regulation and frontal alpha power. Yet, significant moderating effects were found for self-regulation construct (emotion regulation, effortful control, executive function), self-regulation measurement (behavioral task, computer assessment, lab observation, questionnaire), and children's mean age. Self-regulation was only significantly correlated with frontal alpha power when studies focused on the executive functioning construct. Moreover, the use of behavioral tasks or questionnaires and a higher mean age of the children resulted in small but significant effect size estimates. Higher frontal alpha power values were related to higher order top-down mechanisms of self-regulation, indicating that these mechanisms might become stronger when the frontal cortex is sufficiently developed. The findings of the current meta-analysis highlight the importance of longitudinal analyses and multimethod approaches in future work to reach a more comprehensive understanding of the role of frontal EEG alpha activity in the etiology of individual differences in early self-regulation. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The first meta-analysis of individual differences in self-regulation and frontal EEG alpha power during infancy and early childhood demonstrated a non-significant overall association. Moderation analyses revealed that variations in frontal alpha power were significantly associated with executive function, but not with effortful control and emotion regulation. Frontal alpha power was related to variations in self-regulation when measured by behavioral tasks and questionnaires, but not via computer assessments and lab observations. The association between individual differences in self-regulation and frontal alpha power becomes significantly stronger with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa Hofstee
- Department of Clinical Child and Family Studies, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jorg Huijding
- Department of Clinical Child and Family Studies, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kimberly Cuevas
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Connecticut, United States
| | - Maja Deković
- Department of Clinical Child and Family Studies, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Mulligan DJ, Palopoli AC, van den Heuvel MI, Thomason ME, Trentacosta CJ. Frontal Alpha Asymmetry in Response to Stressor Moderates the Relation Between Parenting Hassles and Child Externalizing Problems. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:917300. [PMID: 35864992 PMCID: PMC9294442 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.917300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Inequitable urban environments are associated with toxic stress and altered neural social stress processing that threatens the development of self-regulation. Some children in these environments struggle with early onset externalizing problems that are associated with a variety of negative long-term outcomes. While previous research has linked parenting daily hassles to child externalizing problems, the role of frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) as a potential modifier of this relationship has scarcely been explored. The present study examined mother-child dyads, most of whom were living in low socioeconomic status households in an urban environment and self-identified as members of racial minority groups. Analyses focused on frustration task electroencephalography (EEG) data from 67 children (mean age = 59.0 months, SD = 2.6). Mothers reported the frequency of their daily parenting hassles and their child's externalizing problems. Frustration task FAA moderated the relationship between parenting daily hassles and child externalizing problems, but resting FAA did not. More specifically, children with left frontal asymmetry had more externalizing problems as their mothers perceived more hassles in their parenting role, but parenting hassles and externalizing problems were not associated among children with right frontal asymmetry. These findings lend support to the motivational direction hypothesis and capability model of FAA. More generally, this study reveals how individual differences in lateralization of cortical activity in response to a stressor may confer differential susceptibility to child behavioral problems with approach motivation (i.e., left frontal asymmetry) predicting externalizing problems under conditions of parental stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Mulligan
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Ava C. Palopoli
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | | | - Moriah E. Thomason
- Department of Population Health, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
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Fu X, Ding Y, Chen J, Liu F, Li H, Zhao J, Guo W. Altered Brain Functional Asymmetry in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder Related to Gastrointestinal Symptoms. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:797598. [PMID: 35250436 PMCID: PMC8891942 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.797598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveDisrupted brain functional asymmetry has been reported in major depressive disorder (MDD). The comorbidity may be a crucial factor to this functional asymmetry. It is quite common that gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are comorbid with MDD, but limited evidence focuses on the effect of GI comorbidity on the neuropathology of MDD from a functional lateralization perspective.MethodsResting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was obtained in 28 healthy controls (HCs), 35 MDD patients with GI symptoms (GI-MDD patients), and 17 patients with MDD without GI symptoms (nGI-MDD patients). The parameter of asymmetry (PAS) was used to analyze the imaging data and evaluate the changes of functional asymmetry.ResultsThe GI-MDD patients showed increased PAS scores in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and superior medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and decreased PAS scores in the right postcentral gyrus in comparison with nGI-MDD patients. The PAS scores of the left IFG and left superior MPFC were correlated with the severity of GI problems and could be applied to distinguish GI-MDD patients from nGI-MDD patients with an accuracy, a sensitivity, and a specificity of 92.31, 100, and 76.47%, respectively. Furthermore, GI-MDD and nGI-MDD patients both displayed increased PAS scores in the PCC/precuneus.ConclusionsThis study revealed the influence of concomitant GI symptoms on functional asymmetry in MDD patients. Increased PAS scores of the left IFG and superior MPFC might represent an unbalanced regulation of brain over GI function and had the potential to be regarded as distinctive features related to functional GI symptoms in MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoya Fu
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yudan Ding
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jindong Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Huabing Li
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jingping Zhao
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenbin Guo
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
- Department of Psychiatry, The Third People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
- *Correspondence: Wenbin Guo,
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Anaya B, Ostlund B, LoBue V, Buss K, Pérez-Edgar K. Psychometric properties of infant electroencephalography: Developmental stability, reliability, and construct validity of frontal alpha asymmetry and delta-beta coupling. Dev Psychobiol 2021; 63:e22178. [PMID: 34423429 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) provides developmental neuroscientists a noninvasive view into the neural underpinnings of cognition and emotion. Recently, the psychometric properties of two widely used neural measures in early childhood-frontal alpha asymmetry and delta-beta coupling-have come under scrutiny. Despite their growing use, additional work examining how the psychometric properties of these neural signatures may change across infancy is needed. The current study examined the developmental stability, split-half reliability, and construct validity of infant frontal alpha asymmetry and delta-beta coupling. Infants provided resting-state EEG data at 8, 12, and 18 months of age (N = 213). Frontal alpha asymmetry and delta-beta coupling showed significant developmental change from 8 to 18 months. Reliability for alpha asymmetry, and alpha, delta, and beta power, individually, was generally good. In contrast, the reliability of delta-beta coupling scores was poor. Associations between frontal alpha asymmetry and approach tendencies generally emerged, whereas stronger (over-coupled) delta-beta coupling scores were associated with profiles of dysregulation and low inhibition. However, the individual associations varied across time and specific measures of interest. We discuss these findings with a developmental lens, highlighting the importance of repeated measures to better understand links between neural signatures and typical and atypical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berenice Anaya
- Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Brendan Ostlund
- Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Vanessa LoBue
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Kristin Buss
- Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Koraly Pérez-Edgar
- Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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11
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Liu R, Phillips JJ, Ji F, Shi D, Bell MA. Temperamental Shyness and Anger/Frustration in Childhood: Normative Development, Individual Differences, and the Impacts of Maternal Intrusiveness and Frontal Electroencephalogram Asymmetry. Child Dev 2021; 92:2529-2545. [PMID: 34196961 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study used latent growth curve modeling to identify normative development and individual differences in the developmental patterns of shyness and anger/frustration across childhood. This study also examined the impacts of maternal intrusiveness and frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry at age 4 on the developmental patterns of shyness and anger/frustration. 180 children (92 boys, 88 girls; Mage = 4.07 years at baseline; 75.6% White, 18.3% Black, 6.1% multiracial/other) participated in the study. Normative development included significant linear decreases in shyness and anger/frustration. Individual variation existed in the developmental patterns. Children with left frontal EEG asymmetry showed a faster decreasing pattern of shyness. Children who experienced higher maternal intrusiveness and had left frontal EEG asymmetry showed a slower decreasing pattern of anger/frustration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Feng Ji
- University of California, Berkeley
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12
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Hardin JS, Jones NA, Mize KD, Platt M. Affectionate Touch in the Context of Breastfeeding and Maternal Depression Influences Infant Neurodevelopmental and Temperamental Substrates. Neuropsychobiology 2021; 80:158-175. [PMID: 33461198 PMCID: PMC8117377 DOI: 10.1159/000511604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While numerous studies have demonstrated maternal depression's influence on infant brain development, few studies have examined the changes that occur as a consequence of co-occurring experiential factors that affect quality of mother and infant affectionate touch as well as infant temperament and neurophysiological systems. The aim of the study was to examine the interactive effects of maternal depression and breastfeeding on mother and infant affectionate touch and infant temperament and cortical maturation patterns across early development. METHODS 113 mothers and their infants participated when infants were 1 and 3 months of age. Questionnaires to assess maternal depressive symptoms, feeding, and temperament were completed. Tonic EEG patterns (asymmetry and left and right activity) were collected and the dyads were video-recorded during feeding to assess mother and infant affectionate touch patterns. RESULTS Data analysis showed that EEG activity and mother-infant affectionate touch differed as a function of mood and feeding method. Notably, only infants of depressed mothers that bottle-fed showed right frontal EEG asymmetry and attenuated change in the left frontal region across 3 months. Breastfeeding positively impacted affectionate touch behaviors and was associated with increased left and decreased right frontal EEG activation even for depressed groups. Furthermore, a model incorporating physiology, maternal depression, touch, temperament, and feeding indicated significant prediction for infant affectionate touch (with breastfeeding and affectively positive temperament demonstrating the strongest prediction). Con-clusion: The findings suggest that breastfeeding and the infant's positive temperament influence mother-infant affectionate touch patterns and result in neuroprotective outcomes for infants, even those exposed to maternal depression within early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian S. Hardin
- *Jillian Hardin, Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University, 5353 Parkside Drive, Jupiter, FL 33458 (USA),
| | - Nancy Aaron Jones
- Charles E. Schmidt College Science Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Krystal D. Mize
- Charles E. Schmidt College Science Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
| | - Melannie Platt
- Charles E. Schmidt College Science Department of Psychology, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
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13
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Frontal EEG asymmetry moderates the associations between negative temperament and behavioral problems during childhood. Dev Psychopathol 2020; 33:1016-1025. [PMID: 32536352 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579420000309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Fearful inhibition and impulsivity-anger significantly predict internalizing and externalizing problems, respectively. An important moderator that may affect these associations is frontal EEG asymmetry (FA). We examined how temperament and FA at 6 years interactively predicted behavioral problems at 9 years. A community sample of 186 children (93 boys, 93 girls) participated in the study. Results indicated that the effect of fearful inhibition on parent-reported internalizing problems increased as children exhibited greater right FA. The effect of impulsivity-anger on parent-reported externalizing problems increased as children showed greater left FA. Because FA was allowed to vary rather than children being dichotomized into membership in left FA and right FA groups, we observed that children's FA contributed to the resilience process only when FA reached specific asymmetry levels. These findings highlight the importance of considering the different functions of FA in combination with specific dimensions of temperament in predicting children's socioemotional outcomes. Clinical implications include providing suggestions for intervention services by demonstrating the role of FA in developing behavioral problems and inspiring research on whether it is possible to alter EEG activation and thus potentially improve developmental outcomes.
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Huffmeijer R, Bakermans‐Kranenburg MJ, Gervain J. Maternal intrusiveness predicts infants' event-related potential responses to angry and happy prosody independent of infant frontal asymmetry. INFANCY 2020; 25:246-263. [PMID: 32362788 PMCID: PMC7188314 DOI: 10.1111/infa.12327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Infants' social-cognitive skills first develop within the parent-infant relationship, but large differences between parents exist in the way they approach and interact with their infant. These may have important consequences for infants' social-cognitive development. The current study investigated effects of maternal sensitive and intrusive behavior on 6- to 7-month-old infants' ERP responses to a socio-emotional cue that infants are often confronted with from an early age: emotional prosody in infant-directed speech. Infants may differ in their sensitivity to environmental (including parenting) influences on development, and the current study also explored whether infants' resting frontal asymmetry conveys differential susceptibility to effects of maternal sensitivity and intrusiveness. Results revealed that maternal intrusiveness was related to the difference in infants' ERP responses to happy and angry utterances. Specifically, P2 amplitudes in response to angry sounds were less positive than those in response to happy sounds for infants with less intrusive mothers. Whether this difference reflects an enhanced sensitivity to emotional prosody or a (processing) preference remains to be investigated. No evidence for differential susceptibility was found, as infant frontal asymmetry did not moderate effects of sensitivity or intrusiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rens Huffmeijer
- Laboratiore Psychologie de la PerceptionUniversité Paris DescartesParisFrance
- Faculty of Social and Behavioral SciencesLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC)Leiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Marian J. Bakermans‐Kranenburg
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC)Leiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Child and Family StudiesAmsterdam Public HealthVrije UniversiteitAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Judit Gervain
- Laboratiore Psychologie de la PerceptionUniversité Paris DescartesParisFrance
- Laboratiore Psychologie de la PerceptionCNRSParisFrance
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15
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van de Ven MCJ, van den Heuvel MI, Bhogal A, Lewis T, Thomason ME. Impact of maternal childhood trauma on child behavioral problems: The role of child frontal alpha asymmetry. Dev Psychobiol 2020; 62:154-169. [PMID: 31372993 PMCID: PMC6994323 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Childhood trauma is associated with many long-term negative outcomes, and is not limited to the individual experiencing the trauma, but extends to subsequent generations. However, mechanisms underlying the association between maternal childhood trauma and child psychopathology are not well understood. Here, we targeted frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) as a potential underlying factor of the relationship between maternal childhood trauma and child behavioral problems. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded from (N = 45) children (Mean age = 57.9 months, SD = 3.13) during an eyes-closed paradigm in order to evaluate FAA. Mothers reported on their childhood trauma experiences using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and on their child's behavior using the child behavior checklist (CBCL). We found that maternal childhood trauma significantly predicted child total, internalizing, and externalizing behavior at age 5 years. We also observed a role for FAA such that it acted as a moderator, but not mediator, for behavioral problems. We found that children with relative more right/less left frontal activity were more at risk to develop behavioral problems when their mother had been exposed to trauma in her childhood. These results indicate that child frontal asymmetry may serve as a susceptibility marker for child behavioral problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C. J. van de Ven
- Cognitive Neuropsychology, Behavioral and Movement SciencesVrije UniversiteitAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Toni Lewis
- Department of PsychologyWayne State UniversityDetroitMichigan
| | - Moriah E. Thomason
- Department of Child and Adolescent PsychiatryNew York University School of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical CenterNew YorkNew York
- Department of Population HealthNew York University School of Medicine, NYU Langone Medical CenterNew YorkNew York
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16
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Intergenerational Transmission of Frontal Alpha Asymmetry Among Mother-Infant Dyads. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2020; 5:420-428. [PMID: 32107166 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2019.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) is a well-established neurobiological indicator of depression risk. Reduced FAA relates to current and remitted depression in adults and is seen in offspring of mothers with depression as young as 3 months of age, suggesting a potentially transmittable mechanism of depression risk. It is unclear, however, whether direct familial associations exist for FAA. To address this gap, we evaluated the intergenerational transmission of FAA in a nonclinical cohort of mother-infant dyads. METHODS Mothers and their 12-month-old infants (n = 34 dyads) completed parallel resting-state tasks while electroencephalography was recorded. We measured FAA across a range of putative frequency bands and calculated its reliability in mothers and infants. Finally, we evaluated the heritability of FAA based on the parent-offspring correlation. RESULTS Mother and infant FAA convergence was strongest in the high alpha range for mothers (11-13 Hz) and broad alpha range for infants (6-9 Hz). Mother high FAA exhibited excellent split-half reliability (rSB = .99) and internal consistency after 80 seconds (α = .90); infant FAA exhibited good split-half reliability (rSB = .81) and fair internal consistency after 70 seconds (α = .74). Mother-infant FAA were moderately correlated (r = .41), which indicates narrow-sense heritability of up to 82%. CONCLUSIONS FAA can be assessed reliably and relatively quickly in both adults and infants. There is a robust association of FAA between mothers and their infants, supporting intergenerational transmission. This finding is consistent with the possibility that reduced FAA may directly confer depression risk at the individual-family level.
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17
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Gotlib IH, Goodman SH, Humphreys KL. Studying the Intergenerational Transmission of Risk for Depression: Current Status and Future Directions. CURRENT DIRECTIONS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2020; 29:174-179. [PMID: 33758474 DOI: 10.1177/0963721420901590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Studying offspring of depressed mothers is a promising strategy for elucidating factors that contribute to depression onset, given that these offspring are three to six times more likely to develop depression than are their low-risk peers. In this paper we briefly describe representative findings from studies of younger and older offspring of depressed mothers and identify factors that have garnered the most consistent empirical support across development. We discuss what these studies can and cannot tell us about mechanisms that might underlie the intergenerational transmission of risk for depression, regardless of the age of offspring being studied. Finally, in light of limitations of this literature, we offer recommendations for future research.
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18
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Poole KL, Anaya B, Pérez-Edgar KE. Behavioral inhibition and EEG delta-beta correlation in early childhood: Comparing a between-subjects and within-subjects approach. Biol Psychol 2020; 149:107785. [PMID: 31628975 PMCID: PMC6943939 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2019.107785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Heightened delta-beta correlation has been conceptualized as reflecting exaggerated neural regulation and has been implicated in anxiety. Behavioral inhibition (BI) is a temperament characterized by wariness to novelty and is a robust predictor of anxiety, but delta-beta correlation has not been investigated in relation to childhood BI. We examined the relation between BI and between-subjects (i.e., across participants) and within-subjects (i.e., across data epochs) measures of baseline EEG delta-beta correlation in 118 children. Using a between-subjects measure, children scoring high on BI had higher delta-beta correlation relative to low BI children at frontal and central, and marginally higher in parietal, brain regions. Using a within-subjects measure, continuous BI scores were positively correlated with central and parietal delta-beta correlation. Delta-beta correlation may be a neural correlate of BI in childhood that displays differences in region specificity, correlation strength, and variability of correlation values when comparing between- and within-subjects measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristie L Poole
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Canada.
| | - Berenice Anaya
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, Canada
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19
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Gartstein MA, Hancock GR, Potapova NV, Calkins SD, Bell MA. Modeling development of frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry: Sex differences and links with temperament. Dev Sci 2020; 23:e12891. [PMID: 31359565 PMCID: PMC6893078 DOI: 10.1111/desc.12891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Asymmetric patterns of frontal brain electrical activity reflect approach and avoidance tendencies, with stability of relative right activation associated with withdrawal emotions/motivation and left hemisphere activation linked with approach and positive affect. However, considerable shifts in approach/avoidance-related lateralization have been reported for children not targeted because of extreme temperament. In this study, dynamic effects of frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) power within and across hemispheres were examined throughout early childhood. Specifically, EEG indicators at 5, 10, 24, 36, 48, and 72 months-of-age (n = 410) were analyzed via a hybrid of difference score and panel design models, with baseline measures and subsequent time-to-time differences modeled as potentially influencing all subsequent amounts of time-to-time change (i.e., predictively saturated). Infant sex was considered as a moderator of dynamic developmental effects, with temperament attributes measured at 5 months examined as predictors of EEG hemisphere development. Overall, change in left and right frontal EEG power predicted declining subsequent change in the same hemisphere, with effects on the opposing neurobehavioral system enhancing later growth. Infant sex moderated the pattern of within and across-hemisphere effects, wherein for girls more prominent left hemisphere influences on the right hemisphere EEG changes were noted and right hemisphere effects were more salient for boys. Largely similar patterns of temperament prediction were observed for the left and the right EEG power changes, with limited sex differences in links between temperament and growth parameters. Results were interpreted in the context of comparable analyses using parietal power values, which provided evidence for unique frontal effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Gartstein
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Gregory R Hancock
- Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, Measurement, Statistics and Evaluation (EDMS), College Park, MD, USA
| | | | - Susan D Calkins
- Department of Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies, Greensboro, NC, USA
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20
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Riva V, Marino C, Piazza C, Riboldi EM, Mornati G, Molteni M, Cantiani C. Paternal-but Not Maternal-Autistic Traits Predict Frontal EEG Alpha Asymmetry in Infants with Later Symptoms of Autism. Brain Sci 2019; 9:brainsci9120342. [PMID: 31779221 PMCID: PMC6956226 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9120342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous research found that the parental autism phenotype is associated with child autism spectrum disorder (ASD), even if the pathway between autistic traits in parents and child ASD is still largely unknown. Several studies investigated frontal asymmetry in alpha oscillation (FAA) as an early marker for ASD. However, no study has examined the mediational effect of FAA between parental autistic traits and child ASD symptoms in the general population. We carried out a prospective study of 103 typically developing infants and measured FAA as a mediator between both maternal and paternal autistic traits and child ASD traits. We recorded infant baseline electroencephalogram (EEG) at 6 months of age. Child ASD symptoms were measured at age 24 months by the Child Behavior Checklist 1½-5 Pervasive Developmental Problems Scale, and parental autistic traits were scored by the Autism spectrum Quotient questionnaire. The mediation model showed that paternal vs. maternal autistic traits are associated with greater left FAA which, in turn, is associated with more child ASD traits with a significant indirect effect only in female infants vs. male infants. Our findings show a potential cascade of effects whereby paternal autistic traits drive EEG markers contributing to ASD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Riva
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (E.M.R.); (G.M.); (M.M.); (C.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-031-877924; Fax: +39-031-877499
| | - Cecilia Marino
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M6J 1H4, Canada;
| | - Caterina Piazza
- Bioengineering Lab, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy;
| | - Elena M Riboldi
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (E.M.R.); (G.M.); (M.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Giulia Mornati
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (E.M.R.); (G.M.); (M.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Massimo Molteni
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (E.M.R.); (G.M.); (M.M.); (C.C.)
| | - Chiara Cantiani
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy; (E.M.R.); (G.M.); (M.M.); (C.C.)
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21
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Alperin BR, Smith CJ, Gustafsson HC, Figuracion MT, Karalunas SL. The relationship between alpha asymmetry and ADHD depends on negative affect level and parenting practices. J Psychiatr Res 2019; 116:138-146. [PMID: 31233897 PMCID: PMC6625668 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2018] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Atypical frontal alpha asymmetry is associated with the approach/withdrawal and affective processes implicated in many psychiatric disorders. Rightward alpha asymmetry, associated with high approach, is a putative endophenotype for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, findings are inconsistent, likely because of a failure to consider emotional heterogeneity within the ADHD population. In addition, how this putative risk marker interacts with environmental factors known to increase symptom severity, such as parenting practices, has not been examined. The current study examined patterns of alpha asymmetry in a large sample of adolescents with and without ADHD, including the moderating role of negative affect and inconsistent discipline. Resting-state EEG was recorded from 169 well-characterized adolescents (nADHD = 79). Semi-structured clinical interviews and well-validated rating scales were used to create composites for negative affect and inconsistent discipline. The relationship between alpha asymmetry and ADHD diagnosis was moderated by negative affect. Right asymmetry was present only for those with ADHD and low levels of negative affect. In addition, greater right alpha asymmetry predicted severity of ADHD symptoms for those with the disorder, but only in the context of inconsistent parenting practices. Results confirm right alpha asymmetry is a possible endophenotype in ADHD but highlight the need to consider emotional heterogeneity and how biological risk interacts with child environment in order to fully characterize its relationship to disorder liability and severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany R. Alperin
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Christiana J. Smith
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Hanna C. Gustafsson
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - McKenzie T. Figuracion
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Sarah L. Karalunas
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. Portland, OR 97239, USA,Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. Portland, OR 97239, USA
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22
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ADHD Symptoms in Post-Institutionalized Children Are Partially Mediated by Altered Frontal EEG Asymmetry. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY 2018; 45:857-869. [PMID: 27687682 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-016-0208-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Individual differences in the propensity for left versus right frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry may underlie differences in approach/withdrawal tendencies and mental health deficits. Growing evidence suggests that early life adversity may shape brain development and contribute to the emergence of mental health problems. The present study examined frontal EEG asymmetry (FEA) following the transition to family care in children adopted internationally from institutional care settings between 15 and 36 months of age (N = 82; 46 female, 36 male). Two comparison groups were included: an international adoption control consisting of children adopted from foster care with little to no institutional deprivation (N = 45; 17 female, 28 male) and a post-adoption condition control consisting of children reared in birth families of the same education and income as the adoptive families (N = 48; 23 female, 25 male). Consistent with evidence of greater approach and impulsivity-related behavior problems in post-institutionalized (PI) children, PI status was associated with greater left FEA than found in the other two groups. In addition, left FEA served as a mediator between institutionalization and age 5 ADHD symptoms for girls. Age at adoption and other preadoption factors were examined with results suggesting that earlier adoption into a supportive family resulted in a more typical pattern of brain functioning. Findings support the idea that the capacity of brain activity to evidence typical functioning following perturbation may differ in relation to the timing of intervention and suggest that the earlier the intervention of adoption, the better.
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23
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O'Reilly MA, Bathelt J, Sakkalou E, Sakki H, Salt A, Dale NJ, de Haan M. Frontal EEG asymmetry and later behavior vulnerability in infants with congenital visual impairment. Clin Neurophysiol 2017; 128:2191-2199. [PMID: 28950152 PMCID: PMC6609275 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2017.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Young children with congenital visual impairment (VI) are at increased risk of behavioral vulnerabilities. Studies on 'at risk' populations suggest that frontal EEG asymmetry may be associated with behavioral risk. We investigated frontal asymmetry at 1year (Time 1), behavior at 2years (Time 2) and their longitudinal associations within a sample of infants with VI. Frontal asymmetry in the VI sample at 1year was also compared cross-sectionally to an age-matched typically sighted (TS) group. METHODS At Time 1, 22 infants with VI and 10 TS infants underwent 128-channel EEG recording. Frontal asymmetry ratios were calculated from power spectral density values in the alpha frequency band. At Time 2, Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist data was obtained for the VI sample. RESULTS 63.6% of the VI sample and 50% of the TS sample showed left frontal asymmetry; no significant difference in frontal asymmetry was found between the two groups. 22.7% of the VI sample had subclinical to clinical range 'internalizing' behavior difficulties. Greater left frontal asymmetry at one year was significantly associated with greater emotionally reactive scores at two years within the VI sample (r=0.50, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS Left frontal asymmetry correlates with later behavior risk within this vulnerable population. SIGNIFICANCE These findings make an important first contribution regarding the utility of frontal EEG asymmetry as a method to investigate risk in infants with VI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A O'Reilly
- Clinical Neurosciences Section, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Joe Bathelt
- MRC Cognition & Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, UK; Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychiatry Section, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UK
| | - Elena Sakkalou
- Clinical Neurosciences Section, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Hanna Sakki
- Clinical Neurosciences Section, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Alison Salt
- Clinical Neurosciences Section, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK; Developmental Vision Service, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Naomi J Dale
- Clinical Neurosciences Section, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK; Developmental Vision Service, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Michelle de Haan
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychiatry Section, Developmental Neurosciences Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UK
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24
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Wen DJ, Soe NN, Sim LW, Sanmugam S, Kwek K, Chong YS, Gluckman PD, Meaney MJ, Rifkin-Graboi A, Qiu A. Infant frontal EEG asymmetry in relation with postnatal maternal depression and parenting behavior. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1057. [PMID: 28291259 PMCID: PMC5416671 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Right frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry associates with negative affect and depressed mood, which, among children, are predicted by maternal depression and poor parenting. This study examined associations of maternal depression and maternal sensitivity with infant frontal EEG asymmetry based on 111 mother-6-month-infant dyads. There were no significant effects of postnatal maternal depression or maternal sensitivity, or their interaction, on infant EEG frontal asymmetry. However, in a subsample for which the infant spent at least 50% of his/her day time hours with his/her mother, both lower maternal sensitivity and higher maternal depression predicted greater relative right frontal EEG asymmetry. Our study further showed that greater relative right frontal EEG asymmetry of 6-month-old infants predicted their greater negative emotionality at 12 months of age. Our study suggested that among infants with sufficient postnatal maternal exposure, both maternal sensitivity and mental health are important influences on early brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Wen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Imaging Research Center, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - N N Soe
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Imaging Research Center, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - L W Sim
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore, Singapore
| | - S Sanmugam
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore, Singapore
| | - K Kwek
- KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Y-S Chong
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - P D Gluckman
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore, Singapore
| | - M J Meaney
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore, Singapore
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Sackler Program for Epigenetics & Psychobiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - A Rifkin-Graboi
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore, Singapore
| | - A Qiu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Imaging Research Center, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Singapore, Singapore
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25
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Frontal brain asymmetry, childhood maltreatment, and low-grade inflammation at midlife. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 75:152-163. [PMID: 27829190 PMCID: PMC5289285 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2016] [Revised: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Frontal EEG asymmetry is thought to reflect variations in affective style, such that greater relative right frontal activity at rest predicts enhanced emotional responding to threatening or negative stimuli, and risk of depression and anxiety disorders. A diathesis-stress model has been proposed to explain how this neuro-affective style might predispose to psychopathology, with greater right frontal activity being a vulnerability factor especially under stressful conditions. Less is known about the extent to which greater relative right frontal activity at rest might be associated with or be a diathesis for deleterious physical health outcomes. The present study examined the association between resting frontal EEG asymmetry and systemic, low-grade inflammation and tested the diathesis-stress model by examining whether childhood maltreatment exposure interacts with resting frontal asymmetry in explaining inflammation. Resting EEG, serum inflammatory biomarkers (interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen) and self-reported psychological measures were available for 314 middle-aged adults (age M=55.3years, SD=11.2, 55.7% female). Analyses supported the diathesis-stress model and revealed that resting frontal EEG asymmetry was significantly associated with inflammation, but only in individuals who had experienced moderate to severe levels of childhood maltreatment. These findings suggest that, in the context of severe adversity, a trait-like tendency towards greater relative right prefrontal activity may predispose to low-grade inflammation, a risk factor for conditions with inflammatory underpinnings such as coronary heart disease.
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26
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Kujawa A, Burkhouse KL. Vulnerability to Depression in Youth: Advances from Affective Neuroscience. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2017; 2:28-37. [PMID: 28497126 PMCID: PMC5421558 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2016.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Vulnerability models of depression posit that individual differences in trait-like vulnerabilities emerge early in life and increase risk for the later development of depression. In this review, we summarize advances from affective neuroscience using neural measures to assess vulnerabilities in youth at high risk for depression due to parental history of depression or temperament style, as well as prospective designs evaluating the predictive validity of these vulnerabilities for symptoms and diagnoses of depression across development. Evidence from multiple levels of analysis indicates that healthy youth at high risk for depression exhibit abnormalities in components of the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) positive valence systems, including blunted activation in the striatum during reward anticipation and feedback, and that some of these measures can be used to predict later symptoms. In addition, alterations in components of RDoC's negative valence systems, including neural processing of sadness, loss, and threat, have been observed in risk for depression, though effects appear to be more task and method dependent. Within the social processes domain, preliminary evidence indicates that neural processing of social feedback, including heightened reactivity to exclusion and blunted response to social reward, may be related to depression vulnerability. These studies indicate that affective neuroscience can inform understanding of developmental pathways to depression and identify altered emotional processing among youth at high risk. We provide an integrated summary of consistent findings from this literature, along with recommendations for future directions and implications for early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Autumn Kujawa
- Department of Psychiatry, Penn State College of Medicine
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Soe NN, Wen DJ, Poh JS, Li Y, Broekman BFP, Chen H, Chong YS, Kwek K, Saw SM, Gluckman PD, Meaney MJ, Rifkin-Graboi A, Qiu A. Pre- and Post-Natal Maternal Depressive Symptoms in Relation with Infant Frontal Function, Connectivity, and Behaviors. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152991. [PMID: 27073881 PMCID: PMC4830615 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the relationships between pre- and early post-natal maternal depression and their changes with frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) activity and functional connectivity in 6- and 18-month olds, as well as externalizing and internalizing behaviors in 24-month olds (n = 258). Neither prenatal nor postnatal maternal depressive symptoms independently predicted neither the frontal EEG activity nor functional connectivity in 6- and 18-month infants. However, increasing maternal depressive symptoms from the prenatal to postnatal period predicted greater right frontal activity and relative right frontal asymmetry amongst 6-month infants but these finding were not observed amongst 18-month infants after adjusted for post-conceptual age on the EEG visit day. Subsequently increasing maternal depressive symptoms from the prenatal to postnatal period predicted lower right frontal connectivity within 18-month infants but not among 6-month infants after controlling for post-conceptual age on the EEG visit day. These findings were observed in the full sample and the female sample but not in the male sample. Moreover, both prenatal and early postnatal maternal depressive symptoms independently predicted children's externalizing and internalizing behaviors at 24 months of age. This suggests that the altered frontal functional connectivity in infants born to mothers whose depressive symptomatology increases in the early postnatal period compared to that during pregnancy may reflect a neural basis for the familial transmission of phenotypes associated with mood disorders, particularly in girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni Ni Soe
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Daniel J. Wen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joann S. Poh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Birit F. P. Broekman
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Helen Chen
- KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Duke-National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yap Seng Chong
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kenneth Kwek
- KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Duke-National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Seang-Mei Saw
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Peter D. Gluckman
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Michael J. Meaney
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Anne Rifkin-Graboi
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Anqi Qiu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Clinical Imaging Research Centre, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore
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