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Askelund AD, Wootton RE, Torvik FA, Lawn RB, Ask H, Corfield EC, Magnus MC, Reichborn-Kjennerud T, Magnus PM, Andreassen OA, Stoltenberg C, Davey Smith G, Davies NM, Havdahl A, Hannigan LJ. Assessing causal links between age at menarche and adolescent mental health: a Mendelian randomisation study. BMC Med 2024; 22:155. [PMID: 38609914 PMCID: PMC11015655 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03361-8] [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: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The timing of puberty may have an important impact on adolescent mental health. In particular, earlier age at menarche has been associated with elevated rates of depression in adolescents. Previous research suggests that this relationship may be causal, but replication and an investigation of whether this effect extends to other mental health domains is warranted. METHODS In this Registered Report, we triangulated evidence from different causal inference methods using a new wave of data (N = 13,398) from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study. We combined multiple regression, one- and two-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR), and negative control analyses (using pre-pubertal symptoms as outcomes) to assess the causal links between age at menarche and different domains of adolescent mental health. RESULTS Our results supported the hypothesis that earlier age at menarche is associated with elevated depressive symptoms in early adolescence based on multiple regression (β = - 0.11, 95% CI [- 0.12, - 0.09], pone-tailed < 0.01). One-sample MR analyses suggested that this relationship may be causal (β = - 0.07, 95% CI [- 0.13, 0.00], pone-tailed = 0.03), but the effect was small, corresponding to just a 0.06 standard deviation increase in depressive symptoms with each earlier year of menarche. There was also some evidence of a causal relationship with depression diagnoses during adolescence based on one-sample MR (OR = 0.74, 95% CI [0.54, 1.01], pone-tailed = 0.03), corresponding to a 29% increase in the odds of receiving a depression diagnosis with each earlier year of menarche. Negative control and two-sample MR sensitivity analyses were broadly consistent with this pattern of results. Multivariable MR analyses accounting for the genetic overlap between age at menarche and childhood body size provided some evidence of confounding. Meanwhile, we found little consistent evidence of effects on other domains of mental health after accounting for co-occurring depression and other confounding. CONCLUSIONS We found evidence that age at menarche affected diagnoses of adolescent depression, but not other domains of mental health. Our findings suggest that earlier age at menarche is linked to problems in specific domains rather than adolescent mental health in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Dahl Askelund
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
- PsychGen Centre for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Robyn E Wootton
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- PsychGen Centre for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Fartein A Torvik
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rebecca B Lawn
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Helga Ask
- PsychGen Centre for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Promenta Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Elizabeth C Corfield
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- PsychGen Centre for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Maria C Magnus
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ted Reichborn-Kjennerud
- PsychGen Centre for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Per M Magnus
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ole A Andreassen
- NORMENT Centre, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Camilla Stoltenberg
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - George Davey Smith
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Neil M Davies
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University College London, London, UK
- KG Jebsen Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Alexandra Havdahl
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- PsychGen Centre for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Promenta Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Laurie J Hannigan
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
- PsychGen Centre for Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
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2
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Ben-Asher E, Porter BM, Church JA. Distinct Constellations of Common Risk Factors Differentially Relate to Executive-Function Ability in Children. Psychol Sci 2024:9567976241235931. [PMID: 38513051 DOI: 10.1177/09567976241235931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Executive functioning (EF) has been shown to relate to academic achievement and well-being. Independent bodies of work have aimed to understand what environmental or personal attributes influence EF ability. However, most research has not considered how constellations of risk factors create distinct patterns of influence on EF ability. The current study tested a sample of children aged 9 to 10 years from the United States (N = 10,323, 48.06% female, Mage = 9.9 years, age range = 8.9-11.08 years) using a latent profile analysis (LPA) to detect subgroups that varied in their combinations of various risk factors. Six distinct groups of risk factors for children emerged, which in turn related to different average EF abilities. We found that family socioeconomic measures related to a subgroup having above- or below-average EF ability, but we also found an effect on EF across different risk factors. These results inform our understanding of individual variations in EF ability and highlight the idea that EF interventions should consider risk holistically.
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3
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Goering M, McMahan K, Mrug S. Concurrent and long-term effects of early pubertal timing on alcohol, cigarette, and cannabis use from adolescence to adulthood. PSYCHOLOGY OF ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS 2024:2024-52155-001. [PMID: 38330352 PMCID: PMC11306414 DOI: 10.1037/adb0000995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Early pubertal timing is a risk factor for substance use during adolescence. Fewer studies investigated whether early pubertal timing continues to predict substance use in late adolescence and adulthood, suggesting that long-term effects of pubertal timing vary across substances and by biological sex. Finally, existing studies on pubertal timing and substance use in adulthood involved predominantly White samples. Thus, this longitudinal study examined the concurrent and long-term effects of pubertal timing on alcohol, cigarette, and cannabis use together with sex differences in predominantly Black youth from the United States. METHOD The sample included 603 youth (52% male, 80% Black) who were interviewed in early adolescence (mean age: 13.2), late adolescence (mean age: 17.6), and young adulthood (mean age: 27.7). During early adolescence, youth self-reported their physical maturation based on Tanner scores, which were adjusted for age and used as indicators of pubertal timing. Youth self-reported their substance use at each time point. RESULTS Early pubertal timing was associated with higher odds of alcohol use during early adolescence but did not predict alcohol use during late adolescence or adulthood. While early pubertal timing did not predict cigarette use at any time point, early pubertal timing predicted greater odds for cannabis use during early adolescence and higher rates of cannabis use in adulthood. Moreover, early pubertal timing predicted greater risk for couse of alcohol, cigarettes, and cannabis in adulthood. No effects differed by sex. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that links between pubertal timing and substance use vary across substances and developmental periods. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlon Goering
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Birmingham
| | | | - Sylvie Mrug
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Birmingham
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4
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van Rijn R, Lee NC, Hollarek M, Sijtsma H, Walsh RJ, van Buuren M, Braams BR, Krabbendam L. The Effect of Relative Pubertal Maturation and Perceived Popularity on Symptoms of Depression and Social Anxiety in Adolescent Boys and Girls. J Youth Adolesc 2023; 52:2384-2403. [PMID: 37592196 PMCID: PMC10495507 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-023-01836-0] [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: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Research has shown that adolescents - particularly girls - who mature relatively early often experience more internalizing problems. This effect is thought to be partially driven by psychosocial mechanisms, but previous research based relative pubertal maturation on complete samples or population standards, instead of considering the adolescents' direct peer environment. In the current study the level of adolescents' pubertal development was assessed relative to their classmates in order to examine relative pubertal maturation. The effects of adolescents' relative pubertal status, and their perceived popularity, on symptoms of social anxiety and depression in adolescents were studied. All analyses were also performed for absolute pubertal maturation. Participants were 397 young adolescents (Mage = 13.06, SD = 0.36, 49.9% girls) at timepoint 1, and 307 (Mage = 14.08, SD = 0.36, 50.5% girls) at timepoint 2. A significant positive relationship was found between relative pubertal timing and symptoms of depression for girls but not boys. Social anxiety symptoms were not significantly related to relative pubertal timing in either sex. Relative pubertal maturation had no effect on change in or persistence of depressive and social anxiety symptoms one year later. The effects of the comparison with the immediate peer environment, did not seem to explain more variance in internalizing symptoms than the effects of early maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca van Rijn
- Section of Clinical Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Research Institute LEARN!, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Institute of Brain and Behavior Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Nikki C Lee
- Section of Clinical Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Miriam Hollarek
- Section of Clinical Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Research Institute LEARN!, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute of Brain and Behavior Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hester Sijtsma
- Section of Clinical Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Research Institute LEARN!, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute of Brain and Behavior Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Reubs J Walsh
- Section of Clinical Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Research Institute LEARN!, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute of Brain and Behavior Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mariët van Buuren
- Section of Clinical Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Research Institute LEARN!, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute of Brain and Behavior Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara R Braams
- Section of Clinical Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Research Institute LEARN!, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute of Brain and Behavior Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lydia Krabbendam
- Section of Clinical Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Behavioural and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Research Institute LEARN!, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute of Brain and Behavior Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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5
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Padrutt ER, Harper J, Schaefer JD, Nelson KM, McGue M, Iacono WG, Wilson S. Pubertal timing and adolescent outcomes: investigating explanations for associations with a genetically informed design. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2023; 64:1232-1241. [PMID: 37073531 PMCID: PMC10330083 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychopathology and risky behaviors increase during adolescence, and understanding which adolescents are most at risk informs prevention and intervention efforts. Pubertal timing relative to same-sex, same-age peers is a known correlate of adolescent outcomes among both boys and girls. However, it remains unclear whether this relation is better explained by a plausible causal process or unobserved familial liability. METHODS We extended previous research by examining associations between pubertal timing in early adolescence (age 14) and outcomes in later adolescence (age 17) in a community sample of 2,510 twins (49% boys, 51% girls). RESULTS Earlier pubertal timing was associated with more substance use, risk behavior, internalizing and externalizing problems, and peer problems in later adolescence; these effects were small, consistent with previous literature. Follow-up co-twin control analyses indicated that within-twin-pair differences in pubertal timing were not associated with within-twin-pair differences in most adolescent outcomes after accounting for shared familial liability, suggesting that earlier pubertal timing and adolescent outcomes both reflect familial risk factors. Biometric models indicated that associations between earlier pubertal timing and negative adolescent outcomes were largely attributable to shared genetic liability. CONCLUSIONS Although earlier pubertal timing was associated with negative adolescent outcomes, our results suggests that these associations did not appear to be caused by earlier pubertal timing but were likely caused by shared genetic influences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeremy Harper
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota
| | | | | | - Matt McGue
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota
| | | | - Sylia Wilson
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota
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6
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Hirtz R, Libuda L, Hinney A, Föcker M, Bühlmeier J, Holterhus PM, Kulle A, Kiewert C, Kuhnert R, Cohrdes C, Peters T, Hebebrand J, Grasemann C. Age at menarche relates to depression in adolescent girls: Comparing a clinical sample to the general pediatric population. J Affect Disord 2022; 318:103-112. [PMID: 36058357 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.08.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The timing of puberty, physical features of pubertal development, and hormones are closely intertwined but may also individually contribute to the risk for depression and depression severity. Additionally, their effects on mood may depend on depression severity, but previously this has only been studied in mostly subclinical depression. METHODS In 184 girls from a single psychiatric hospital with significant depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II score > 13), the relationship between depression severity and age at menarche (AAM), pubertal status, and gonadal/adrenal hormones (estradiol, progesterone, DHEA-S, androstenedione, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone) was investigated. Moreover, AAM in depressed girls was compared to that from a representative sample of German adolescents without a psychiatric disorder (N = 1674). Androgen levels were compared to those of age- and sex-matched controls (N = 59). RESULTS AAM but not pubertal stage or biochemical parameters related to depression. Girls with AAM at the lower normative range of pubertal development were 61 % more likely to develop depression and scored 4.9 points higher on the depression scale than girls experiencing menarche at the population average. Androstenedione levels were increased in the psychiatric sample, but neither androgen nor gonadal hormone levels were associated with depression severity. LIMITATIONS The study is cross-sectional. CONCLUSIONS These observations confirm previous studies in mostly subclinical depression and highlight the importance of AAM for adolescent depression. Thus, AAM could be considered a prognostic factor for a clinical risk score assessing the probability of adolescent depression. Moreover, these findings suggest fostering efforts that address risk factors that contribute to an earlier AAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Hirtz
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Pediatrics II, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr 55, 40211 Essen, Germany; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Wickenburgstr 21, 40211 Essen, Germany.
| | - Lars Libuda
- Institute of Nutrition, Consumption and Health, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University Paderborn, Warbuger Str. 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany
| | - Anke Hinney
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Wickenburgstr 21, 40211 Essen, Germany
| | - Manuel Föcker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Münster, Schmeddingstr 50, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Judith Bühlmeier
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Wickenburgstr 21, 40211 Essen, Germany
| | - Paul-Martin Holterhus
- Department of Pediatrics I, Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, UKSH, Campus Kiel, and Christian-Albrechts University, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Alexandra Kulle
- Department of Pediatrics I, Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, UKSH, Campus Kiel, and Christian-Albrechts University, Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Cordula Kiewert
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Pediatrics II, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr 55, 40211 Essen, Germany
| | - Ronny Kuhnert
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany, General-Pape-Str. 62-66, 12101 Berlin
| | - Caroline Cohrdes
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany, General-Pape-Str. 62-66, 12101 Berlin
| | - Triinu Peters
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Wickenburgstr 21, 40211 Essen, Germany
| | - Johannes Hebebrand
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Wickenburgstr 21, 40211 Essen, Germany
| | - Corinna Grasemann
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rare Diseases and CeSER, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Alexandrinenstr 5, 44791 Bochum, Germany
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7
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Goering M, Mrug S. The Distinct Roles of Biological and Perceived Pubertal Timing in Delinquency and Depressive Symptoms from Adolescence to Adulthood. J Youth Adolesc 2022; 51:2092-2113. [PMID: 35831695 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-022-01657-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Pubertal timing is a robust predictor of externalizing and internalizing problems in adolescence, but controversies remain whether only early or off-time (both early and late) pubertal timing is associated with negative developmental outcomes and whether effects differ across perceptions of pubertal timing and actual biological pubertal timing. Additionally, less is known about the longevity of pubertal timing effects and mediators of effects that persist through adolescence and into adulthood. This longitudinal study investigated the effects of early and off-time pubertal timing, in form of perceived pubertal timing relative to peers and reported biological pubertal timing relative to age, on delinquency and depressive symptoms in adolescence and young adulthood between 2003 and 2022. Peer deviance and school connectedness were examined as mediators of any persisting effects. The sample included 704 youth (52% male, 76% African American, 22% Non-Hispanic White) who were assessed at four time points from early adolescence (Mean ages: 11.8, 13.2) to late adolescence (Mean age: 17.6) and young adulthood (Mean age: 27.7). Perceived off-time pubertal timing in males and early biological pubertal timing in both males and females were risk factors for persistent delinquency into young adulthood, but neither form of pubertal timing was associated with depressive symptoms. None of the effects were mediated by peer deviance or school connectedness. These findings advance the understanding of more nuanced effects of pubertal timing on adjustment problems in diverse youth as they develop from early adolescence to adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlon Goering
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 2nd Avenue South, CH415, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
| | - Sylvie Mrug
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 2nd Avenue South, CH415, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
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8
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Hirtz R, Hars C, Naaresh R, Laabs BH, Antel J, Grasemann C, Hinney A, Hebebrand J, Peters T. Causal Effect of Age at Menarche on the Risk for Depression: Results From a Two-Sample Multivariable Mendelian Randomization Study. Front Genet 2022; 13:918584. [PMID: 35903354 PMCID: PMC9315288 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.918584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A fair number of epidemiological studies suggest that age at menarche (AAM) is associated with depression, but the reported effect sizes are small, and there is evidence of residual confounding. Moreover, previous Mendelian randomization (MR) studies to avoid inferential problems inherent to epidemiological studies have provided mixed findings. To clarify the causal relationship between age at menarche and broadly defined depression risk, we used 360 genome-wide significantly AAM-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as instrumental variable and data from the latest GWAS for the broadly defined depression risk on 807,553 individuals (246,363 cases and 561,190 controls). Multiple methods to account for heterogeneity of the instrumental variable (penalized weighted median, MR Lasso, and contamination mixture method), systematic and idiosyncratic pleiotropy (MR RAPS), and horizontal pleiotropy (MR PRESSO and multivariable MR using three methods) were used. Body mass index, education attainment, and total white blood count were considered pleiotropic phenotypes in the multivariable MR analysis. In the univariable [inverse-variance weighted (IVW): OR = 0.96, 95% confidence interval = 0.94–0.98, p = 0.0003] and multivariable MR analysis (IVW: OR = 0.96, 95% confidence interval = 0.94–0.99, p = 0.007), there was a significant causal effect of AAM on depression risk. Thus, the present study supports conclusions from previous epidemiological studies implicating AAM in depression without the pitfalls of residual confounding and reverse causation. Considering the adverse consequences of an earlier AAM on mental health, this finding should foster efforts to address risk factors that promote an earlier AAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Hirtz
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Pediatrics II, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Raphael Hirtz, , orcid.org/0000-0003-1162-4305
| | - Christine Hars
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Pediatrics II, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Roaa Naaresh
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Björn-Hergen Laabs
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Statistics, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein—Campus Lübeck, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jochen Antel
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Corinna Grasemann
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rare Diseases and CeSER, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Anke Hinney
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Johannes Hebebrand
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Triinu Peters
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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9
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Dion-Albert L, Bandeira Binder L, Daigle B, Hong-Minh A, Lebel M, Menard C. Sex differences in the blood-brain barrier: Implications for mental health. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 65:100989. [PMID: 35271863 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.100989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Prevalence of mental disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ) are increasing at alarming rates in our societies. Growing evidence points toward major sex differences in these conditions, and high rates of treatment resistance support the need to consider novel biological mechanisms outside of neuronal function to gain mechanistic insights that could lead to innovative therapies. Blood-brain barrier alterations have been reported in MDD, BD and SZ. Here, we provide an overview of sex-specific immune, endocrine, vascular and transcriptional-mediated changes that could affect neurovascular integrity and possibly contribute to the pathogenesis of mental disorders. We also identify pitfalls in current literature and highlight promising vascular biomarkers. Better understanding of how these adaptations can contribute to mental health status is essential not only in the context of MDD, BD and SZ but also cardiovascular diseases and stroke which are associated with higher prevalence of these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Dion-Albert
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and CERVO Brain Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Luisa Bandeira Binder
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and CERVO Brain Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Beatrice Daigle
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and CERVO Brain Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Amandine Hong-Minh
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Lincoln Place Gate, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Manon Lebel
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and CERVO Brain Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Caroline Menard
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and CERVO Brain Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada.
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10
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Dooley N, Ruigrok A, Holt R, Allison C, Tsompanidis A, Waldman J, Auyeung B, Lombardo MV, Baron-Cohen S. Is there an association between prenatal testosterone and autistic traits in adolescents? Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 136:105623. [PMID: 34896742 PMCID: PMC8783053 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal testosterone (pT) is a crucial component in physiological masculinization in humans. In line with the Prenatal Sex Steroid Theory of autism, some studies have found a positive correlation between pT and autistic traits in childhood. However, effects in adolescence have not been explored. Hormonal and environmental changes occurring during puberty may alter the strength or the nature of prenatal effects on autistic traits. The current study examines if pT relates to autistic traits in a non-clinical sample of adolescents and young adults (N = 97, 170 observations; age 13-21 years old). It also explores pT interactions with pubertal stage and timing. PT concentrations were measured from amniotic fluid extracted in the 2nd trimester of gestation via amniocentesis conducted for clinical purposes. Autistic traits were measured by self- and parent-reports on the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) which provides a total score and 5 sub-scores (social skills, communication, imagination, attention switching and attention to detail). Self-reported pubertal stage was regressed on age to provide a measure of relative timing. We found no statistical evidence for a direct association between pT and autistic traits in this adolescent sample (males, females or full sample). Exploratory analyses suggested that pT correlated positively with autistic traits in adolescents with earlier puberty-onset, but statistical robustness of this finding was limited. Further exploratory post-hoc tests suggested the pT-by-pubertal timing interaction was stronger in males relative to females, in self-reported compared to parent-reported AQ and specifically for social traits. These findings require replication in larger samples. Findings have implications for understanding the effects of pT on human behavior, specifically existence of effects in adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh Dooley
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland; Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, UK.
| | - Amber Ruigrok
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Rosemary Holt
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Carrie Allison
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Jack Waldman
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Bonnie Auyeung
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, UK,Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Michael V. Lombardo
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, UK,Laboratory for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @UniTn,Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Simon Baron-Cohen
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, UK
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11
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Dallman AR, Bailliard A, Harrop C. Identifying Predictors of Momentary Negative Affect and Depression Severity in Adolescents with Autism: An Exploratory Ecological Momentary Assessment Study. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:291-303. [PMID: 33677729 PMCID: PMC7970812 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-04935-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Depression is a common comorbidity in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Little is known about risk factors for depression and depressive symptoms in this population. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) has been used in the typically developing population to identify risk factors for depression, but has been rarely applied in ASD populations. In this exploratory study, 17 autistic adolescents participated in an EMA protocol in which they reported on their current activities and emotions six times per day for seven consecutive days. Results suggested that negative affect is predicted by momentary quality of social interaction and enjoyment of the current activity (p < 0.05). Additionally, affective instability predicted depressive symptoms. These results provide insights into risk factors for depression in this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron R Dallman
- Department of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science, College of Health Professions, Towson University, 8000 York Rd, Towson, MD, USA.
| | - Antoine Bailliard
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Clare Harrop
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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12
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Dimler LM, Natsuaki MN. Trajectories of Violent and Nonviolent Behaviors From Adolescence to Early Adulthood: Does Early Puberty Matter, and, If So, How Long? J Adolesc Health 2021; 68:523-531. [PMID: 32928642 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE It is well known that pubertal timing affects adolescents' externalizing behaviors, but it is unknown if this effect lasts into adulthood. This study assessed if and when the early maturation effect wanes, specifically in two domains of externalizing behaviors: nonviolent and violent behaviors. METHODS Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) that include age-appropriate items of violent and nonviolent behaviors assessed from ages 11-30 over four waves (N = 4,255), we conducted a series of longitudinal growth curve analyses to evaluate the effect of pubertal timing on the trajectories of nonviolent and violent externalizing behaviors for males and females. RESULTS Compared to later maturing male peers, early maturing males reported significantly elevated overall externalizing, nonviolent, and violent behaviors throughout adolescence, but became indistinguishable from on-time and late-maturing counterparts in young adulthood. Similarly, early maturing females showed higher levels of overall externalizing and nonviolent behaviors than later maturing counterparts, but no effect of pubertal timing was seen on the trajectories of violent behaviors. However, early maturing females' overall externalizing and nonviolent behaviors also became indistinguishable from on-time and late-maturing females after adolescence. CONCLUSIONS These findings clarify the differential effect of early maturation on nonviolent and violent behaviors, especially in females, and highlight the short-lived nature of the effects of early pubertal timing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Dimler
- College of Arts and Sciences, Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
| | - Misaki N Natsuaki
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California
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13
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Hamlat EJ, McCormick KC, Young JF, Hankin BL. Early pubertal timing predicts onset and recurrence of depressive episodes in boys and girls. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2020; 61:1266-1274. [PMID: 32017111 PMCID: PMC7396277 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recurrent depressive episodes during adolescence result in significant impairment and increased risk for subsequent adverse outcomes throughout the life span. Evidence suggests that early pubertal timing predicts the onset of depressive episodes (particularly for girls); however, it is not known if pubertal timing prospectively predicts recurrent depressive episodes in youth. METHODS At baseline, 603 youth (56% female, at baseline: Mage = 12.09, SD = 2.35) reported on their pubertal development. Youth and their parents completed a semistructured diagnostic interview to assess depressive episodes at baseline and then evaluated for onset repeatedly every 6 months for a period of 36 months. RESULTS Controlling for past history of depression, Cox proportional hazards models examined whether earlier pubertal timing predicted (a) days to first depressive episode from baseline and (b) days to a second (recurrent) depressive episode from the end of the first episode. Early pubertal timing predicted the onset of the first depressive episode after baseline (b = .19, Wald = 5.36, p = .02, HR = 1.21), as well as a recurrent episode during course of study follow-up episode (b = .32, Wald = 6.16, p = .01, HR = 1.38). CONCLUSIONS Findings reinforce the importance of considering the impact of early pubertal timing on depression risk. Investigation on how pubertal timing interacts with other risk factors to predict depression recurrence is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jami F. Young
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine Philadelphia PA USA
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14
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Stepanyan ST, Natsuaki MN, Cheong Y, Hastings PD, Zahn-Waxler C, Klimes-Dougan B. Early pubertal maturation and externalizing behaviors: Examination of peer delinquency as mediator and cognitive flexibility as a moderator. J Adolesc 2020; 84:45-55. [PMID: 32853861 DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2020.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION While peer delinquency is a known mediator between early pubertal timing and externalizing behaviors, little is known about factors that could protect against the adverse influence of peer delinquency. This study assesses the possible moderating role of cognitive flexibility, which is one index of executive functioning that facilitates flexible and adaptive responses to challenging situations. We assessed the interactive influence of peer delinquency and cognitive flexibility in the association between pubertal maturation and externalizing behaviors in boys and girls. METHOD Participants were 220 adolescents (111 boys) from the United States, between the ages of 11 and 16 years (M = 13.2, SD = 1.53) who participated in the Adolescent Emotion Study (AES). RESULTS Findings from the cross-sectional path modeling analyses provided evidence for the mediating role of peer delinquency for boys and girls, indicating that early maturing adolescents tend to affiliate with delinquent peers, which in turn exacerbates externalizing problems. Additionally, the moderating role of cognitive flexibility was also demonstrated for both boys and girls. Region of significance tests revealed that relatively well-developed cognitive flexibility skills could protect against the adverse influences of peer delinquency, whereas lower levels could exacerbate those negative influences. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that involvement with deviant peers increases vulnerability for both early maturing boys and girls. Additionally, cognitive flexibility was an important moderating factor for adolescents, such that youths with less developed skills would be at a higher risk for psychopathology, whereas those with better development could be protected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia T Stepanyan
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
| | - Misaki N Natsuaki
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
| | - Yeram Cheong
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
| | - Paul D Hastings
- Center for Mind & Brain, Center for Poverty Research University of California Davis, 267 Cousteau Place, Davis, CA, 95618, USA.
| | - Carolyn Zahn-Waxler
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin, Madison 1202 West Johnson St, Madison, WI, 52706, USA.
| | - Bonnie Klimes-Dougan
- Psychology Department, University of Minnesota, 75 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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15
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Senia JM, Donnellan MB, Neppl TK. Early pubertal timing and adult adjustment outcomes: Persistence, attenuation, or accentuation? J Adolesc 2018; 65:85-94. [PMID: 29555486 PMCID: PMC5932135 DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Early pubertal timing is associated with internalizing and externalizing problems during adolescence. However, few studies explicitly test whether early puberty is especially problematic for those with pre-existing problems (i.e., accentuation) and little is known about whether the negative correlates of early pubertal timing persist past young adulthood. We address these questions using longitudinal data from up to 451 participants in the Iowa Youth and Families project (e.g., Ge, Conger, & Elder, 1996, 2001). We replicated and extended previous results reported for this sample during adolescence (e.g., early maturing boys and girls reported more substance use) and found some evidence for accentuation in adolescence for psychological distress and substance use. However, correlations between early puberty and adult outcomes assessed up to two decades later were largely indistinguishable from zero including attenuation effects. These results suggest that any negative correlates of early pubertal timing are attenuated by the fourth decade of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Senia
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, Psychology Building 316 Physics Rd., Rm 252B, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
| | - M Brent Donnellan
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, Psychology Building 316 Physics Rd., Rm 252C, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
| | - Tricia K Neppl
- Dept. of Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University, 2358 Palmer 2222 Osborn Dr., Ames, IA 50011, USA.
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16
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Criminology’s Modern Synthesis: Remaking the Science of Crime with Darwinian Insight. EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-60576-0_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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