Over a 5-year period, I will receive training in event-related potential electroencephalography (ERP EEG), event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (ER-fMRI), and neuropsychological research techniques with adolescents who have disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs). The purpose of this research is to identify and characterize neurocognitive correlates of traits and behaviors that comprise commonly used classification systems for juvenile DBDs. These training experiences will prepare me to implement a pilot study of DBD brain function in 125 adolescents over the RCA period. It will include functional brain imaging using ERP and ER-fMRI versions of several different tasks designed for sensitivity to neural dysfunction unique to each DBD diagnoses. Previous studies have poorly controlled for the common comorbidity seen in DBD subjects; none have incorporated all the recruitment resources and the brain imaging techniques proposed in this project. These data will isolate abnormally functioning neural circuits underlying cognitive abnormalities in antisocial adolescents, compare DBD groups and/or symptom types, and determine associations of these findings to behavioral and neuropsychological measures commonly used in clinical assessment. Through the process of training and pilot research, I will develop: (1) expertise in collection, analysis, and interpretation of ERPs and ER-fMRI; (2) expertise in neuropsychological evaluation of antisocial adolescents using developmentally-appropriate measures; and (3) expertise in theories of cognitive dysfunction in DBDs, including what specific mechanisms may underlie symptoms or affect the course of cognitive development of antisocial children into adulthood. With this training and the collection of pilot data I hope to develop an empirically based conceptual framework and the necessary methodological skills to preliminarily address several questions related to juvenile antisocial disorders, including: What neural dysfunction is specific to each adolescent DBD diagnosis? What relationship do DBD adolescents' EEG and ER-fMRI-measured brain activity have with behavioral profile or neuropsychological test results? How do findings compare with neuroimaging results from previous studies of antisocial groups? The overall aim of this project is to prepare me to conduct subsequent prospective studies of DBD adolescents to study changes in neurocognition from adolescence to adulthood using R01 funding mechanisms.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23)
Project #
5K23MH070036-04
Application #
7261986
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-DBD (01))
Program Officer
Avenevoli, Shelli A
Project Start
2004-08-01
Project End
2009-07-31
Budget Start
2007-08-01
Budget End
2008-07-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$162,868
Indirect Cost
Name
Hartford Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
065533796
City
Hartford
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
06102
Sørensen, L; Eichele, T; van Wageningen, H et al. (2016) Amplitude variability over trials in hemodynamic responses in adolescents with ADHD: The role of the anterior default mode network and the non-specific role of the striatum. Neuroimage Clin 12:397-404
Witt, Suzanne T; Stevens, Michael C (2015) Relationship between white matter microstructure abnormalities and ADHD symptomatology in adolescents. Psychiatry Res 232:168-74
Orinstein, Alyssa J; Stevens, Michael C (2014) Brain activity in predominantly-inattentive subtype attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder during an auditory oddball attention task. Psychiatry Res 223:121-8
Haney-Caron, Emily; Caprihan, Arvind; Stevens, Michael C (2014) DTI-measured white matter abnormalities in adolescents with Conduct Disorder. J Psychiatr Res 48:111-20
Bessette, Katie L; Nave, Andrea M; Caprihan, Arvind et al. (2014) White matter abnormalities in adolescents with major depressive disorder. Brain Imaging Behav 8:531-41
Witt, Suzanne T; Stevens, Michael C (2013) The role of top-down control in different phases of a sensorimotor timing task: a DCM study of adults and adolescents. Brain Imaging Behav 7:260-73
Koziol, Leonard F; Stevens, Michael C (2012) Neuropsychological assessment and the paradox of ADHD. Appl Neuropsychol Child 1:79-89
Hyatt, Christopher J; Haney-Caron, Emily; Stevens, Michael C (2012) Cortical thickness and folding deficits in conduct-disordered adolescents. Biol Psychiatry 72:207-14
Wong, Christina G; Stevens, Michael C (2012) The effects of stimulant medication on working memory functional connectivity in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Biol Psychiatry 71:458-66
Stevens, Michael C; Haney-Caron, Emily (2012) Comparison of brain volume abnormalities between ADHD and conduct disorder in adolescence. J Psychiatry Neurosci 37:389-98

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