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Related Concept Videos

Longitudinal Research02:20

Longitudinal Research

Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age01:09

Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age

The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Signs of Puberty01:27

Signs of Puberty

Puberty is a critical phase, typically beginning between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys, though timing can vary based on genetics, environmental factors, and overall health. This period is characterized by the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the attainment of reproductive potential. Endocrine changes underpin puberty, with hormonal surges of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) instigated by Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)...
Longitudinal Studies01:26

Longitudinal Studies

Longitudinal studies are also widely used in other medical and social science fields. For instance, in cardiovascular research, they can monitor patients' health over decades to identify risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or smoking, and evaluate the long-term effectiveness of preventive measures. Similarly, in mental health studies, researchers might follow individuals from adolescence into adulthood to understand the development and progression of conditions like...
Three Developmental Domains01:29

Three Developmental Domains

Human development is typically examined across three main domains: physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional. These domains represent the significant areas of change and continuity throughout the lifespan, from infancy to late adulthood.
Physical Development
Physical processes, also known as maturation, encompass the biological changes that occur across an individual's life. These changes begin with genetic inheritance and continue through various stages, including growth in height and weight,...
Cognitive Development During Adolescence01:18

Cognitive Development During Adolescence

During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the recognition that people have...

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Probing the Brain in Autism Using fMRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging
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Longitudinal changes in pubertal maturation and white matter microstructure.

Megan M Herting1, Robert Kim2, Kristina A Uban2

  • 1University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90032, United States; University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States.

Psychoneuroendocrinology
|April 19, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Pubertal development influences adolescent brain maturation, impacting white matter microstructure. This longitudinal study reveals sex-specific changes in brain development during puberty.

Keywords:
AdolescenceDevelopmentDiffusion tensor imagingIntra-class correlation coefficientPubertyWhite matter

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Adolescent Development
  • Brain Imaging

Background:

  • Pubertal processes are linked to brain maturation trajectories.
  • Emerging evidence suggests pubertal changes may underlie sex differences in cognitive and behavioral outcomes.
  • Understanding these changes is crucial for adolescent neurodevelopmental research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how physical pubertal maturation predicts changes in white matter microstructure over time.
  • To examine potential sex differences in the relationship between pubertal development and white matter changes.
  • To account for age in the analysis of pubertal maturation and brain development.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study design with 18 boys and 15 girls over ~2 years.
  • Measurement of physical pubertal maturation using the Peterson Developmental Scale.
  • Analysis of white matter microstructure changes using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics and multi-level modeling, focusing on fractional anisotropy (FA).

Main Results:

  • Physical pubertal changes predicted alterations in FA within specific white matter regions, including the thalamus, precentral gyrus, superior corona radiata, corpus callosum (genu), and superior frontal gyrus.
  • Sex-specific effects were observed: boys showed increased FA in the superior frontal gyrus and precentral gyrus with gonadal/adrenal development, while girls exhibited decreased FA in the anterior corona radiata with gonadal development.
  • These findings demonstrate a link between pubertal changes and white matter development patterns.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first evidence linking longitudinal changes in pubertal development to white matter development.
  • Findings support the hypothesis that pubertal processes contribute to distinct neurodevelopmental trajectories in adolescent boys and girls.
  • The results highlight the importance of considering pubertal status in understanding sex differences in brain development and related outcomes.