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Identifying cortical structure markers of resilience to adversity in young people using surface-based morphometry
Harriet Cornwell1, Nicola Toschi2,3, Catherine Hamilton-Giachritsis1
1Department of Psychology, University of Bath, 10 West, Claverton Down, Bath, Somerset BA2 7AY, UK.
Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
|January 30, 2024
Summary
This study reveals that youth resilience is linked to specific brain structure variations, including surface area and gyrification in key regions. These findings offer new insights into the neurobiology of resilience in adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Brain Imaging
Background:
- Previous youth resilience research often used categorical definitions and focused on gray matter volume.
- Cortical properties have distinct developmental trajectories, necessitating broader structural analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine associations between continuous resilience scores and cortical structure using surface-based morphometry.
- To explore sex-by-resilience interactions in cortical properties.
Main Methods:
- Utilized surface-based morphometry on structural MRI data from 286 youths (aged ~13.6 years).
- Derived continuous resilience scores based on adversity and psychopathology.
- Performed vertex-wise correlation analyses for cortical thickness, surface area, gyrification, and volume.
Main Results:
- Resilience scores positively correlated with right lateral occipital surface area and right superior frontal gyrification.
- Negative correlation found between resilience and left inferior temporal surface area.
- Observed sex-by-resilience interactions for gyrification in frontal and temporal regions.
Conclusions:
- Resilience in youth is associated with specific cortical surface area and gyrification patterns.
- Findings implicate frontal, occipital, and temporal regions in emotion regulation and recognition processes related to resilience.
