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Breton E, Khundrakpam B, Jeon S, Evans A, Booij L. Cortical thickness and childhood eating behaviors: differences according to sex and age, and relevance for eating disorders. Eat Weight Disord 2024; 29:47. [PMID: 39028377 PMCID: PMC11271398 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-024-01675-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study investigated the association between childhood eating behaviors and cortical morphology, in relation to sex and age, in a community sample. METHODS Neuroimaging data of 71 children (mean age = 9.9 ± 1.4 years; 39 boys/32 girls) were obtained from the Nathan Kline Institute-Rockland Sample. Emotional overeating, food fussiness, and emotional undereating were assessed using the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Cortical thickness was obtained at 81,924 vertices covering the entire cortex. Generalized Linear Mixed Models were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS There was a significant effect of sex in the association between cortical thickness and emotional overeating (localized at the right postcentral and bilateral superior parietal gyri). Boys with more emotional overeating presented cortical thickening, whereas the opposite was observed in girls (p < 0.05). Different patterns of association were identified between food fussiness and cortical thickness (p < 0.05). The left rostral middle frontal gyrus displayed a positive correlation with food fussiness from 6 to 8 years, but a negative correlation from 12 to 14 years. Emotional undereating was associated with cortical thickening at the left precuneus, left middle temporal gyrus, and left insula (p < 0.05) with no effect of sex or age. CONCLUSIONS Leveraging on a community sample, findings support distinct patterns of associations between eating behaviors and cortical thickness, depending on sex and age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edith Breton
- Department of Fundamental Sciences, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, Canada
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Budhachandra Khundrakpam
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Seun Jeon
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Neurology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Alan Evans
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Linda Booij
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada.
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
- Eating Disorders Continuum, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, 6605 Boul. LaSalle, Verdun, H4H1R3, Canada.
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Norbom LB, Rokicki J, Eilertsen EM, Wiker T, Hanson J, Dahl A, Alnæs D, Fernández‐Cabello S, Beck D, Agartz I, Andreassen OA, Westlye LT, Tamnes CK. Parental education and income are linked to offspring cortical brain structure and psychopathology at 9-11 years. JCPP ADVANCES 2024; 4:e12220. [PMID: 38486948 PMCID: PMC10933599 DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.12220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background A child's socioeconomic environment can shape central aspects of their life, including vulnerability to mental disorders. Negative environmental influences in youth may interfere with the extensive and dynamic brain development occurring at this time. Indeed, there are numerous yet diverging reports of associations between parental socioeconomic status (SES) and child cortical brain morphometry. Most of these studies have used single metric- or unimodal analyses of standard cortical morphometry that downplay the probable scenario where numerous biological pathways in sum account for SES-related cortical differences in youth. Methods To comprehensively capture such variability, using data from 9758 children aged 8.9-11.1 years from the ABCD Study®, we employed linked independent component analysis (LICA) and fused vertex-wise cortical thickness, surface area, curvature and grey-/white-matter contrast (GWC). LICA revealed 70 uni- and multimodal components. We then assessed the linear relationships between parental education, parental income and each of the cortical components, controlling for age, sex, genetic ancestry, and family relatedness. We also assessed whether cortical structure moderated the negative relationships between parental SES and child general psychopathology. Results Parental education and income were both associated with larger surface area and higher GWC globally, in addition to local increases in surface area and to a lesser extent bidirectional GWC and cortical thickness patterns. The negative relation between parental income and child psychopathology were attenuated in children with a multimodal pattern of larger frontal- and smaller occipital surface area, and lower medial occipital thickness and GWC. Conclusion Structural brain MRI is sensitive to SES diversity in childhood, with GWC emerging as a particularly relevant marker together with surface area. In low-income families, having a more developed cortex across MRI metrics, appears beneficial for mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linn B. Norbom
- PROMENTA Research CenterDepartment of PsychologyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- NORMENTInstitute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Jaroslav Rokicki
- NORMENTInstitute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Centre of Research and Education in Forensic PsychiatryOslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Espen M. Eilertsen
- PROMENTA Research CenterDepartment of PsychologyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Thea Wiker
- PROMENTA Research CenterDepartment of PsychologyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- NORMENTInstitute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Department of Psychiatric ResearchDiakonhjemmet HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Jamie Hanson
- Learning Research and Development Center University of PittsburghPennsylvaniaPittsburghUSA
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of PittsburghPennsylvaniaPittsburghUSA
| | - Andreas Dahl
- NORMENTInstitute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Dag Alnæs
- NORMENTInstitute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Department of PsychologyPedagogy and LawKristiania University CollegeOsloNorway
| | | | - Dani Beck
- PROMENTA Research CenterDepartment of PsychologyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- NORMENTInstitute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Department of Psychiatric ResearchDiakonhjemmet HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Ingrid Agartz
- NORMENTInstitute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Department of Psychiatric ResearchDiakonhjemmet HospitalOsloNorway
- K.G Jebsen Center for Neurodevelopmental DisordersUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Centre for Psychiatry ResearchDepartment of Clinical NeuroscienceKarolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care ServicesStockholmSweden
| | - Ole A. Andreassen
- K.G Jebsen Center for Neurodevelopmental DisordersUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- NORMENTDivision of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Lars T. Westlye
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- K.G Jebsen Center for Neurodevelopmental DisordersUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- NORMENTDivision of Mental Health and AddictionOslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
| | - Christian K. Tamnes
- PROMENTA Research CenterDepartment of PsychologyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- NORMENTInstitute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
- Department of Psychiatric ResearchDiakonhjemmet HospitalOsloNorway
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3
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Wu H, Guo Y, Zhang Y, Zhao L, Guo C. Self-esteem and cortical thickness correlate with aggression in healthy children: A surface-based analysis. Behav Brain Res 2024; 458:114737. [PMID: 37924850 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Aggressive behavior can have serious physical, psychological, and social consequences. However, little is known about the personality and neurological antecedents underlying aggressive behavior in children. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between self-esteem, aggression, and brain structure (i.e., cortical thickness and surface area) in a population of healthy children (N = 78; 9-12 years; mean age: 9.95 ± 0.90 years). The results revealed that self-esteem showed a negative association with aggression and significantly predicted aggressive behavior. No gender differences were found in aggression and its neural correlates. We performed the cortical parcellation method to further explore the neural foundations underlying the association of self-esteem with aggression. Children with higher aggression had increased cortical thickness in four clusters after multiple comparison correction: right medial orbitofrontal cortex, right lateral orbitofrontal cortex, right superior frontal gyrus, and left insula. In a mediation analysis, cortical thickness in the right medial orbitofrontal cortex contributed to the effect of self-esteem on aggression. These findings extend our understanding of morphological correlates of aggression in children, suggesting that an increased cortical thickness in childhood is a potential mechanism linking low self-esteem to aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Wu
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yiqun Guo
- School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, China
| | - Yaoyao Zhang
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Le Zhao
- School of Applied Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, China
| | - Cheng Guo
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
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Butterfield RD, Silk JS. The Role of Neural Self-Referential Processes Underlying Self-Concept in Adolescent Depression: A Comprehensive Review and Proposed Neurobehavioral Model. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 149:105183. [PMID: 37076056 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
There is growing knowledge about how self-concept develops in adolescence and contributes to the onset of depression, but researchers have only recently begun investigating the neural mechanisms that underlie self-referential cognition in adolescents with and without depression. This paper reviews task-related functional neuroimaging (fMRI) research on self-referential neural processing in both healthy and depressed adolescents (Mage range = 12-18 years), with a focus on elucidating brain activation that may subserve adolescent self-perception and related associations with depression. Drawing on conclusions from the affective neuroscience literature and developmental theory, we propose a neurobehavioral model and future research recommendations to address how social factors might shape self-referential neural processes and self-concept in ways that confer risk for depression. We review the operationalization of self-concept, developmental theory (i.e., symbolic interactionism) on self-concept development, and the role of self-concept in adolescent depression. We then review empirical studies assessing neural activation during healthy and depressed adolescents' processing of self-relevant information, and the limited studies assessing links between social factors and neural self-referential processing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer S Silk
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychology and Psychiatry
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Angelo BC, DeFendis A, Yau A, Alves JM, Thompson PM, Xiang AH, Page KA, Luo S. Relationships between physical activity, healthy eating and cortical thickness in children and young adults. Brain Imaging Behav 2022; 16:2690-2704. [DOI: 10.1007/s11682-022-00728-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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Dick AS, Ralph Y, Farrant K, Reeb-Sutherland B, Pruden S, Mattfeld AT. Volumetric development of hippocampal subfields and hippocampal white matter connectivity: Relationship with episodic memory. Dev Psychobiol 2022; 64:e22333. [PMID: 36426794 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The hippocampus is a complex structure composed of distinct subfields. It has been central to understanding neural foundations of episodic memory. In the current cross-sectional study, using a large sample of 830, 3- to 21-year-olds from a unique, publicly available dataset we examined the following questions: (1) Is there elevated grey matter volume of the hippocampus and subfields in late compared to early development? (2) How does hippocampal volume compare with the rest of the cerebral cortex at different developmental stages? and (3) What is the relation between hippocampal volume and connectivity with episodic memory performance? We found hippocampal subfield volumes exhibited a nonlinear relation with age and showed a lag in volumetric change with age when compared to adjacent cortical regions (e.g., entorhinal cortex). We also observed a significant reduction in cortical volume across older cohorts, while hippocampal volume showed the opposite pattern. In addition to age-related differences in gray matter volume, dentate gyrus/cornu ammonis 3 volume was significantly related to episodic memory. We did not, however, find any associations with episodic memory performance and connectivity through the uncinate fasciculus, fornix, or cingulum. The results are discussed in the context of current research and theories of hippocampal development and its relation to episodic memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Steven Dick
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Yvonne Ralph
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Kristafor Farrant
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | | | - Shannon Pruden
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Aaron T Mattfeld
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
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Norbom LB, Hanson J, van der Meer D, Ferschmann L, Røysamb E, von Soest T, Andreassen OA, Agartz I, Westlye LT, Tamnes CK. Parental socioeconomic status is linked to cortical microstructure and language abilities in children and adolescents. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2022; 56:101132. [PMID: 35816931 PMCID: PMC9284438 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2022.101132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gradients in parental socioeconomic status (SES) are closely linked to important life outcomes in children and adolescents, such as cognitive abilities, school achievement, and mental health. Parental SES may also influence brain development, with several magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies reporting associations with youth brain morphometry. However, MRI signal intensity metrics have not been assessed, but could offer a microstructural correlate, thereby increasing our understanding of SES influences on neurobiology. We computed a parental SES score from family income, parental education and parental occupation, and assessed relations with cortical microstructure as measured by T1w/T2w ratio (n = 504, age = 3-21 years). We found negative age-stabile relations between parental SES and T1w/T2w ratio, indicating that youths from lower SES families have higher ratio in widespread frontal, temporal, medial parietal and occipital regions, possibly indicating a more developed cortex. Effect sizes were small, but larger than for conventional morphometric properties i.e. cortical surface area and thickness, which were not significantly associated with parental SES. Youths from lower SES families had poorer language related abilities, but microstructural differences did not mediate these relations. T1w/T2w ratio appears to be a sensitive imaging marker for further exploring the association between parental SES and child brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linn B Norbom
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway; NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway.
| | - Jamie Hanson
- Learning Research and Development Center University of Pittsburgh, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, USA; Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
| | - Dennis van der Meer
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway; School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, the Netherlands; Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
| | - Lia Ferschmann
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway; Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
| | - Espen Røysamb
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway; Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
| | - Tilmann von Soest
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway; Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
| | - Ole A Andreassen
- K.G Jebsen Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo, Norway; NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway; Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
| | - Ingrid Agartz
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway; K.G Jebsen Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo, Norway; Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway; Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm Region, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars T Westlye
- K.G Jebsen Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Oslo, Norway; NORMENT, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway; Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
| | - Christian K Tamnes
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway; NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway; Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
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Merz EC, Strack J, Hurtado H, Vainik U, Thomas M, Evans A, Khundrakpam B. Educational attainment polygenic scores, socioeconomic factors, and cortical structure in children and adolescents. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 43:4886-4900. [PMID: 35894163 PMCID: PMC9582364 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome‐wide polygenic scores for educational attainment (PGS‐EA) and socioeconomic factors, which are correlated with each other, have been consistently associated with academic achievement and general cognitive ability in children and adolescents. Yet, the independent associations of PGS‐EA and socioeconomic factors with specific underlying factors at the neural and neurocognitive levels are not well understood. The main goals of this study were to examine the unique contributions of PGS‐EA and parental education to cortical structure and neurocognitive skills in children and adolescents, and the associations among PGS‐EA, cortical structure, and neurocognitive skills. Participants were typically developing 3‐ to 21‐year‐olds (53% male; N = 391). High‐resolution, T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired, and cortical thickness (CT) and surface area (SA) were measured. PGS‐EA were computed based on the EA3 genome‐wide association study of educational attainment. Participants completed executive function, vocabulary, and episodic memory tasks. Higher PGS‐EA and parental education were independently and significantly associated with greater total SA and vocabulary. Higher PGS‐EA was significantly associated with greater SA in the left medial orbitofrontal gyrus and inferior frontal gyrus, which was associated with higher executive function. Higher parental education was significantly associated with greater SA in the left parahippocampal gyrus after accounting for PGS‐EA and total brain volume. These findings suggest that education‐linked genetics may influence SA in frontal regions, leading to variability in executive function. Associations of parental education with cortical structure in children and adolescents remained significant after controlling for PGS‐EA, a source of genetic confounding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Merz
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Jordan Strack
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Hailee Hurtado
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Uku Vainik
- University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Michael Thomas
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Alan Evans
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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Parental (STEM) Occupations, the Home Numeracy Environment, and Kindergarten Children’s Numerical Competencies. EDUCATION SCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/educsci11120819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Children’s early numerical competencies are of great importance for later academic achievement. Young children gain these competencies in the context of the home numeracy environment (HNE). Additionally, child characteristics and families’ socioeconomic status (SES) are associated with children’s competencies. In this study, we investigated parents’ occupations (i.e., STEM or non-STEM occupation) as a specific aspect of the SES to understand whether parental occupations are associated with children’s numerical competencies and whether such an association may depend on the HNE. We analysed data from a sample of N = 190 children (Mage = 63.58 months; SD = 4.41) at two measurement points. Correlational analyses and crossed-lagged models were conducted to predict children’s numerical competencies by a global measure of the HNE and parental STEM vs. non-STEM occupations. We found significant associations between parents’ learned and current occupations and the HNE. Further, significant associations between parents’ learned occupations and children’s numerical competencies were observed. However, parents’ current occupations were not significantly associated with children’s numerical competencies. Consequently, more specific facets of the SES instead of a global measure seem to be associated with children’s numerical competencies. A greater focus on specific differences between family characteristics and their potential impact on children’s HNE and the development of their numerical competencies seems expedient.
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Childhood disadvantage, neurocognitive development and neuropsychiatric disorders: Evidence of mechanisms. Curr Opin Psychiatry 2021; 34:306-323. [PMID: 33587493 PMCID: PMC9458466 DOI: 10.1097/yco.0000000000000701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Children living in socioeconomically disadvantaged households have excess risks of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric problems. The purpose of this review is to synthesize evidence for mechanisms that may contribute to these excess risks. RECENT FINDINGS The majority of the 60 studies included in our review focused on children's neurocognitive development and behavioural problems. About half conducted mediation analyses of factors in the family and neighbourhood environments, including access to resources (e.g. cognitive inputs within the home environment) and exposure to stressors (e.g. negative parenting practices), as well as neurobiological embedding of childhood disadvantage. In addition, many studies conducted moderation analyses of factors that were hypothesized to interact with (i.e. exacerbate or mitigate) the harmful effects of childhood disadvantage. SUMMARY Many of the factors that contribute to the excess risk of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric problems among children in disadvantaged households are potentially modifiable (e.g. cognitively stimulating materials, parental language input, cultural resources, parental stress and psychopathology, negative parenting, neighbourhood violence). If their causality is ultimately established, they could be targets for the prevention and reduction of disparities. The continued search for mechanisms should not detract from work to reduce and hopefully eliminate children's exposure to disadvantage.
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Khundrakpam B, Choudhury S, Vainik U, Al‐Sharif N, Bhutani N, Jeon S, Gold I, Evans A. Distinct influence of parental occupation on cortical thickness and surface area in children and adolescents: Relation to self-esteem. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 41:5097-5113. [PMID: 33058416 PMCID: PMC7670644 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25169] [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: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies of socioeconomic disparities have largely focused on correlating brain measures with either composite measure of socioeconomic status (SES), or its components-family income or parental education, giving little attention to the component of parental occupation. Emerging evidence suggests that parental occupation may be an important and neglected indicator of childhood and adolescent SES compared to absolute measures of material resources or academic attainment because, while related, it may more precisely capture position in social hierarchy and related health outcomes. On the other hand, although cortical thickness and surface area are brain measures with distinct genetic and developmental origins, large-scale neuroimaging studies investigating regional differences in interaction of the composite measure of SES or its components with cortical thickness and surface area are missing. We set out to fill this gap, focusing specifically on the role of parental occupation on cortical thickness and surface area by analyzing magnetic resonance imaging scans from 704 healthy individuals (age = 3-21 years). We observed spatially distributed patterns of (parental occupation × age2 ) interaction with cortical thickness (localized at the left caudal middle frontal, the left inferior parietal and the right superior parietal) and surface area (localized at the left orbitofrontal cortex), indicating independent sources of variability. Further, with decreased cortical thickness, children from families with lower parental occupation exhibited lower self-esteem. Our findings demonstrate distinct influence of parental occupation on cortical thickness and surface area in children and adolescents, potentially reflecting different neurobiological mechanisms by which parental occupation may impact brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Budhachandra Khundrakpam
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill UniversityMontrealQuebecCanada
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill UniversityMontrealQuebecCanada
| | - Suparna Choudhury
- Division of Social and Transcultural PsychiatryMcGill UniversityMontrealQuebecCanada
| | - Uku Vainik
- Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social SciencesUniversity of TartuTartuEstonia
| | - Noor Al‐Sharif
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill UniversityMontrealQuebecCanada
| | - Neha Bhutani
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill UniversityMontrealQuebecCanada
| | - Seun Jeon
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill UniversityMontrealQuebecCanada
| | - Ian Gold
- Division of Social and Transcultural PsychiatryMcGill UniversityMontrealQuebecCanada
| | - Alan Evans
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill UniversityMontrealQuebecCanada
- Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, McGill UniversityMontrealQuebecCanada
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