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Anatomic Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Developing Child and Adolescent Brain and Effects of Genetic Variation

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Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging studies have begun to map effects of genetic variation on trajectories of brain development. Longitudinal studies of children and adolescents demonstrate a general pattern of childhood peaks of gray matter followed by adolescent declines, functional and structural increases in connectivity and integrative processing, and a changing balance between limbic/subcortical and frontal lobe functions, which extends well into young adulthood. Twin studies have demonstrated that genetic factors are responsible for a significant amount of variation in pediatric brain morphometry. Longitudinal studies have shown specific genetic polymorphisms affect rates of cortical changes associated with maturation. Although over-interpretation and premature application of neuroimaging findings for diagnostic purposes remains a risk, converging data from multiple imaging modalities is beginning to elucidate the influences of genetic factors on brain development and implications of maturational changes for cognition, emotion, and behavior.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Intramural Program of the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Child Psychiatry Branch, National Institutes of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Jay N. Giedd, Michael Stockman, Catherine Weddle, Maria Liverpool, Aaron Alexander-Bloch, Gregory L. Wallace, Nancy R. Lee, Francois Lalonde & Rhoshel K. Lenroot

  2. University of New South Wales and Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia

    Rhoshel K. Lenroot

  3. Brain Imaging Unit Child Psychiatry Branch, NIMH, Building 10, Room 4C110, MSC 1367, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA

    Jay N. Giedd

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  1. Jay N. Giedd
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Giedd, J.N., Stockman, M., Weddle, C. et al. Anatomic Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Developing Child and Adolescent Brain and Effects of Genetic Variation. Neuropsychol Rev 20, 349–361 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-010-9151-9

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