Geller B, Harms MP, Wang L, Tillman R, DelBello MP, Bolhofner K, Csernansky JG. Effects of age, sex, and independent life events on amygdala and nucleus accumbens volumes in child bipolar I disorder.
Biol Psychiatry 2009;
65:432-7. [PMID:
18990366 PMCID:
PMC2740365 DOI:
10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.09.033]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2008] [Revised: 09/29/2008] [Accepted: 09/30/2008] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Relationships between environment and cortical-limbic-striatal pathways are not well-researched in child bipolar I disorder (BP-I).
METHODS
This was a controlled, blindly rated magnetic resonance imaging study of children with DSM-IV BP-I, manic or mixed type, compared with matched typically developing children (TC).
RESULTS
There were 47 subjects (21 BP-I, 26 TC) aged 14.0+/-3.1 (BP-I onset age 8.8+/-4.2). Total intracranial volume was greater in male subjects (n=28) versus female subjects (n=19) [F(1,44)=24.3, p< .001], controlling for age. Volumes were not significantly different in BP-I and TC groups, after accounting for multiple comparisons, in the medial orbital frontal cortex, rostral anterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus, amygdala (AMG), or nucleus accumbens (NAcc). Across subjects (n=47), a greater number of independent life events (ILE) was associated with smaller AMG [F(1,36)=7.8, p= .009] and NAcc [F(1,36) = 9.4, p= .004] volumes, controlling for total intracranial volume (TICV), group, age, sex, and family psychopathology. Use of stimulant medication at the time of the scan was associated with larger AMG volume [F(1,41)=9.0, p= .005], controlling for TICV, group, age, and sex. In male subjects, the age x group interaction was a significant predictor in general linear models of AMG (p= .028) and NAcc (p= .030) volumes. Effects of low maternal warmth were not significant.
CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that ILE affect AMG and NAcc volume, but further research is needed to examine specificity to child BP-I. Furthermore, differential age x group (child BP-I vs. TC) effects only in male subjects are consistent with differential brain development by sex.
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