Direct and Indirect Associations of Widespread Individual Differences in Brain White Matter Microstructure With Executive Functioning and General and Specific Dimensions of Psychopathology in Children.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Executive functions (EFs) are important partly because they are associated with risk for psychopathology and substance use problems. Because EFs have been linked to white matter microstructure, we tested the prediction that fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) in white matter tracts are associated with EFs and dimensions of psychopathology in children younger than the age of widespread psychoactive substance use.

Methods

Parent symptom ratings, EF test scores, and diffusion tensor parameters from 8588 9- to 10-year-olds in the ABCD Study (Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study) were used.

Results

A latent factor derived from EF test scores was significantly associated with specific conduct problems and attention-deficit/hyperactivity d

SUBMITTER: Cardenas-Iniguez C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8144237 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature