neuroscience
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Neuroanatomical Variability and Early Substance Use Initiation: Insights from the ABCD Study
Adolescence is a period of rapid brain development, making it a sensitive window for experiences that may shape long-term outcomes. A new study from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) project examined whether neuroanatomical variability is linked to early initiation of alcohol, nicotine, or cannabis. Drawing on baseline brain images taken before substance use began, the researchers found regionally specific differences in cortical thickness and surface area among early initiators. The findings highlight the complexity of adolescent neurodevelopment and point to the value of large-scale, longitudinal studies in clarifying how brain structure and behaviour unfold together.
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Professor Edmund Sonuga-Barke – Editor in Chief
Editor in Chief, Professor Edmund Sonuga-Barke is Professor of Developmental Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience working in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, King’s College London.
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JCPP Annual Research Review 2024 – “Time may change me”: Developmental change across multiple time scales
We are delighted to announce the release of the 2024 Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry (JCPP) Annual Research Review, edited by Sara R. Jaffee.
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Annual Research Review: Neuroimmune network model of depression: a developmental perspective
Open Access paper from the JCPP – ‘We have three goals for the present paper. First, we extend neuroimmune network models of mental and physical health to generate a developmental framework of risk for the onset of depression during adolescence. Second, we examine how a neuroimmune network perspective can help explain the high rates of comorbidity between depression and other psychiatric disorders across development, and multimorbidity between depression and stress-related medical illnesses. Finally, we consider how identifying neuroimmune pathways to depression can facilitate a ‘next generation’ of behavioral and biological interventions that target neuroimmune signaling to treat, and ideally prevent, depression in youth and adolescents.’ Robin Nusslock (pic) et al.
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Annual Research Review: Early intervention viewed through the lens of developmental neuroscience
Open Access paper from the JCPP – ‘The overarching goal of this paper is to examine the efficacy of early intervention when viewed through the lens of developmental neuroscience. […] We conclude our article by discussing the implications our review has for policy, and we then offer recommendations for future research’. Charles A. Nelson et al.
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Research Review: The neuroscience of emerging adulthood – reward, ambiguity, and social support as building blocks of mental health
Paper from the JCPP – ‘In this review, we focus on two strands of research with distinct importance for ‘emerging adulthood’ (EA): reward sensitivity, and tolerance of ambiguity.’ Jennifer A. Silvers (pic) and Tara S. Peris
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Pupil size and pupillary light reflex in early infancy
In this podcast we talk to Ana Maria Portugal, Developmental Neuroscientist and postdoctoral researcher in developmental behaviour genetics at the Centre of Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. Ana was the first author of the recent Open Access JCPP paper, ‘Pupil size and pupillary light reflex in early infancy: heritability and link to genetic liability to schizophrenia’
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The enigma of adolescent sleep: misunderstood science and effective intervention
This event was to increase awareness and understanding of adolescent sleep and to build ideas for supporting adolescents and parents/carers with this. This event was being staged by the ACAMH Wales Branch.
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Young people’s ‘neural fingerprints’ might permit a precision-medicine approach to depression
Precision medicine has been discussed in medical research since the late 1990’s. Only recently, however, has this concept aroused interest and inspired relevant research in psychiatry, particularly in adolescents.
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‘Resilience – a complexity science approach’ Professor Anne-Laura Van Harmelen – ‘In Conversation’
Professor Anne-Laura Van Harmelen talks about her new appointment of Professor of Brain Safety and Resilience, the work of Risk and Resilience Group, and its work on HOPES project and RAISE Study.
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