Modeling Individual Differences in Brain Development

Andrik I Becht; Kathryn L Mills

doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.01.027

Modeling Individual Differences in Brain Development

Biol Psychiatry. 2020 Jul 1;88(1):63-69. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.01.027. Epub 2020 Feb 11.

Authors

Andrik I Becht¹, Kathryn L Mills²

Affiliations

¹ Brain and Development Research Center, Developmental and Educational Psychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden; Adolescent Development Research Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
² Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon. Electronic address: klmills@uoregon.edu.

Abstract

Within the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience, there is an increasing interest in studying individual differences in human brain development in order to predict mental health outcomes. So far, however, most longitudinal neuroimaging studies focus on group-level estimates. In this review, we highlight longitudinal neuroimaging studies that have moved beyond group-level estimates to illustrate the heterogeneity in patterns of brain development. We provide practical methodological recommendations on how longitudinal neuroimaging datasets can be used to understand heterogeneity in human brain development. Finally, we address how taking an individual-differences approach in developmental neuroimaging studies could advance our understanding of why some individuals develop mental health disorders.

Keywords: Adolescence; Heterogeneity; Longitudinal; MRI; Mental health; Neuroimaging.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Brain / diagnostic imaging
Humans
Individuality*
Longitudinal Studies
Mental Disorders* / diagnostic imaging
Neuroimaging

Grants and funding

R25 MH120869/MH/NIMH NIH HHS/United States