Changes in white matter volume and cortical thickness predict internalizing symptoms during early adolescence

We sought to examine whether global structural changes in grey and white matter predict adolescent internalizing symptoms using a 3-year longitudinal design. Using secondary data analysis from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, 6,564 participants (53% male, 55% White) were included in analyses. We used linear mixed-effects models to predict adolescent internalizing symptoms (measured at ages 12/13 via caregiver report and self-report) from structural brain metrics. Percent change scores were calculated for whole brain, left, and right hemisphere cortical thickness and global white matter volume (WMV; measured at ages 9/10 and 11/12). Cortical thinning in the left hemisphere, but not the right hemisphere, between ages 9/10 and 11/12 predicted internalizing symptoms at ages 12/13 for caregiver (β_left = -.03, t_left = -2.33, p_left = .020; β_right = -.02, t_right = -1.60, p_right = .110) and youth (β_left = -.03, t_left = -2.40, p_left = .016; β_right = -.01, t_right = -0.92, p_right = .356) reports. WMV predicted internalizing symptoms as reported by caregivers (β = -.04, t = -3.57, p < .001), but not youth (β = -.02, t = -1.31, p = .191). No significant interaction effects for sex were found. Accelerated cortical thinning, particularly in the left hemisphere, and lower WMV may reflect risk factors for developing future internalizing symptoms. Future research should continue to focus on the identification of global neurobiological markers to aid in early diagnosis and treatment of adolescent mental health disorders. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).