The goal of the proposed project is better understanding of mechanisms in the development of externalizing problems, including conduct and attention problems, with special emphasis on neural mechanisms. From a developmental perspective it is important to study neural functioning in relation to externalizing behavior befor behavior problems have become established. With more knowledge of the processes, early detection and prevention approaches may become more successful. The proposed study appears to be the first to chart the development of neural functioning in relation to externalizing problems in early childhood. The proposed longitudinal research seeks to identify neural mechanisms in the development of externalizing problems among children 2.5-3.5 years of age using event-related potentials (ERPs). ERPs are neural responses to stimuli measured by electroencephalography (EEG), with the potential to be biomarkers for dimensions of psychopathology at earlier ages than when externalizing symptoms typically become salient. The central hypothesis based on previous findings is that ERPs, including the N2 and P3 components, will predict the development of externalizing behavior problems, as mediated by self-regulation deficits. The rationale of the proposed research is that understanding early neural risk factors and mechanisms in externalizing problems may lead to more accurate identification of at-risk children and modifiable intermediate phenotypes. This in turn can lead to more cost-effective interventions and even prevention of behavior problems. The approach is innovative in longitudinally examining neural biomarkers in early childhood as predictors of externalizing problems, dimensions of disinhibition and sustained attention deficits rather than diagnostic categories. The proposed research is significant because it will identify more accurate early developmental mechanisms than behavioral markers by themselves, which may translate to more successful prevention. The proposed research will also identify better early behavioral indicators of the neural mechanisms of externalizing problems. These intermediate phenotypes for externalizing problems can become clinically practical assessment tools in early childhood. The project includes two specific aims: 1) Identify early neural biomarkers of the development of externalizing problems, and 2) Determine mechanisms underlying the development of externalizing problems.
Aim 1 will examine whether the N2 and P3 ERP components predict the development of later externalizing problems reported by parents and secondary caregivers.
Aim 2 will test whether the N2 and P3 predict later self-regulation deficits on lab tasks, which, in tun, lead to externalizing problems. We will also test other neural biomarkers to increase sensitivity and specificity for predicting the development of later externalizing problems. The study will follow children from 30 to 42 months, an era of accelerated neural development and increased externalizing problems that are becoming stable. Externalizing problems will be reported by parents and secondary caregivers. Self-regulation problems will be measured by behavioral tasks.
The proposed research aims to contribute to public health by discovering earlier predictors and mechanisms of the development of externalizing psychopathology using neural and behavioral measures of self-regulation in a longitudinal study of toddlers. Early predictors will allow better identification of risk at earlier ages for developig later externalizing problems before disorders are fully-developed. Advances in mechanisms and prediction may help lead to efficiencies in treating and preventing externalizing problems in preschool- and school-age children, such as attentional problems and oppositional problems, as well as later delinquency, drug abuse, and educational, occupational, and family difficulties.
| Hoyniak, Caroline P; Petersen, Isaac T; Bates, John E et al. (2018) The neural correlates of temperamental inhibitory control in toddlers. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 373: |
| Petersen, Isaac T; Hoyniak, Caroline P; McQuillan, Maureen E et al. (2016) Measuring the development of inhibitory control: The challenge of heterotypic continuity. Dev Rev 40:25-71 |
| Petersen, Isaac T; Bates, John E; Dodge, Kenneth A et al. (2016) Identifying an efficient set of items sensitive to clinical-range externalizing problems in children. Psychol Assess 28:598-612 |
| Hoyniak, Caroline P; Petersen, Isaac T; McQuillan, Maureen E et al. (2015) Less Efficient Neural Processing Related to Irregular Sleep and Less Sustained Attention in Toddlers. Dev Neuropsychol 40:155-66 |
| Petersen, Isaac T; Bates, John E; Staples, Angela D (2015) The role of language ability and self-regulation in the development of inattentive-hyperactive behavior problems. Dev Psychopathol 27:221-37 |
| Petersen, Isaac T; Bates, John E; Dodge, Kenneth A et al. (2015) Describing and predicting developmental profiles of externalizing problems from childhood to adulthood. Dev Psychopathol 27:791-818 |
