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Key TakeawaysExamining the brain images of adolescents may predict if they will deal with mental health issues.A child’s brain is still developing at age 12, and the brain’s changing nature may make it more vulnerable to mental health distress.Having another indicator of mental health concerns in youth can be beneficial for parents, therapists, and teachers.

Key Takeaways

Examining the brain images of adolescents may predict if they will deal with mental health issues.A child’s brain is still developing at age 12, and the brain’s changing nature may make it more vulnerable to mental health distress.Having another indicator of mental health concerns in youth can be beneficial for parents, therapists, and teachers.

One out of seven kids aged 10 to 19 has amental health disorder.While symptoms can begin in early childhood, exact causes can vary, and in some cases, are not known. A history of mental health issues in the family is one strong predictor of issues in adolescents.

A new study now introduces another warning signal ofmental distress in kids—their brain structure.

“Each of us has a unique synchronization pattern of different brain regions equivalent to a fingerprint,” explainsZack Shan, PhD, senior research fellow and Head of Neuroimaging Platform at the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Thompson Institute.

Shan is the lead author of the study. “Findings from this study suggest that brain fingerprinting, measured using MRI while someone is still healthy, can potentially predict their future mental ill-health,” he adds.

Understanding how the brain impacts mental health can be a powerful tool for parents, educators, and mental health professionals.

Details of the Study

Researchers with University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia performed brain scans on participants in their local area. Images were taken in four-month intervals, continuing for up to five years.

Scans were done on over 60 children starting at age 12 using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The kids also completed questionnaires to measure theirdepressionandanxietylevels.

Researchers gathered the information as a part of the Thompson Institute’sLongitudinal Adolescent Brain Study. The goal was to follow changes in adolescents’ brain structure and to see how those changes correlated to their mental health.

The cingulo-opercular network (CON), or the brain’s control network for processing information, gave researchers the insight they were looking for. Finding kids’ unique brain connectomes, which are like fingerprints, helped to tell the story.

Researchers “were able to shine light on how maturing adolescent connectomes are vulnerable to psychological distress,” explainsFelice Martin, MS, NCC, LPC, Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor, NeuroCoach and NeuroLeader ofBehavioral Health Associates of Georgia, LLC.

“The significance of this study creates opportunities for mental health professionals to utilize a tangible asset (brain imaging) when providing mental health support,” she adds.

Zack Shan, PhDThis finding is crucial for youth mental health, as the ability to reliably predict who may develop a mental disorder remains elusive.

Zack Shan, PhD

This finding is crucial for youth mental health, as the ability to reliably predict who may develop a mental disorder remains elusive.

The human brain is still developing in a 12-year-old.The brain’s immature state can make it more vulnerable toimpulsivityand a lack ofemotional control.

Those factors can impact mental health. In fact, studies show that about half of all Americans will deal with a mental health disorder at some point in life, with it beginning in childhood or in that critical period of early adolescence.

The findings of this latest study, published inNeuroImage,have far-reaching implications for helpingteens deal with mental health issues.

“This finding is crucial for youth mental health, as the ability to reliably predict who may develop a mental disorder remains elusive,” explains Shan.

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CON and Mental Health

CON supports executive functioning in the brain.It impactsmemory, the ability tofocus, and the ability todo several things at once. CON also deals with mental flexibility and self-regulation.

“The cingulo-opercular network (CON) is one of two brain control networks that determine how different brain components are arranged to function correctly,” says Shan.

“We believe that a less unique CON may represent delayed maturation of CON, resulting in more vulnerability to mental problems.”

Abnormal CON, and potential issues withself-regulation, are noteworthy. Research shows that problems with self-regulation have been linked to mental health issues.

In fact, other studies have shown similar relationships between CON and mental health. An abnormal CON has been associated withschizophreniaas well as mood and behavior disorders.

When It Comes to Talking Mental Health With Kids, Parents Need Support

What Can Parents Do?

Experts say helping kids develop ways to deal withstressorsmay be a starting point to countering the impact of abnormal brain functioning. Practical opportunities for kids to practiceexecutive skillscan play a key part.

Felice Martin, LPCCreating safe spaces for healing (parent and child) that model self-regulation, assertive communication, and resolving conflict is essential to prevention and change.

Felice Martin, LPC

Creating safe spaces for healing (parent and child) that model self-regulation, assertive communication, and resolving conflict is essential to prevention and change.

“Creating safe spaces for healing (parent and child) that model self-regulation, assertive communication, andresolving conflictis essential to prevention and change,” notes Martin.

With the brain continuing to develop well past 20 years of age, there are chances to learn and grow in those skills.

“Development occurs in stages and is progressive; the unique functional connectome will continue changing,” Martin concludes.

What This Means For YouChildren deal with a lot of pressure and potential stressors. Knowing which children may be more likely to have mental health distress can be extremely beneficial for parents and mental health professionals to help kids get the care they need.The study results give valuable insight into how to tell which kids may need that extra emotional and mental support. Looking into preventative care for kids is essential for maintaining their mental health.

What This Means For You

Children deal with a lot of pressure and potential stressors. Knowing which children may be more likely to have mental health distress can be extremely beneficial for parents and mental health professionals to help kids get the care they need.The study results give valuable insight into how to tell which kids may need that extra emotional and mental support. Looking into preventative care for kids is essential for maintaining their mental health.

Children deal with a lot of pressure and potential stressors. Knowing which children may be more likely to have mental health distress can be extremely beneficial for parents and mental health professionals to help kids get the care they need.

The study results give valuable insight into how to tell which kids may need that extra emotional and mental support. Looking into preventative care for kids is essential for maintaining their mental health.

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9 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.World Health Organization.Adolescent mental health.Psycom Pro.AACAP: Risk of mental illness in children and adolescents - How to identify it. Can we prevent it?Shan ZY, Mohamed AZ, Schwenn P, et al.A longitudinal study of functional connectome uniqueness and its association with psychological distress in adolescence.Neuroimage. 2022;258:119358. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119358Dumontheil I.Adolescent brain development.Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences. 2016;10:39-44. doi:10.1016/j.cobeha.2016.04.012Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About mental health.Sheffield JM, Repovs G, Harms MP, et al.Fronto-parietal and cingulo-opercular network integrity and cognition in health and schizophrenia.Neuropsychologia. 2015;73:82-93. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2015.05.006Harvard University Center on the Developing Child.Executive function and self-regulation.Urben S, Constanty L, Lepage C, et al.The added value of a micro-level ecological approach when mapping self-regulatory control processes and externalizing symptoms during adolescence: A systematic review.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2022. doi:10.1007/s00787-022-01972-1Horowitz-Kraus T, Woodburn M, Rajagopal A, et al.Decreased functional connectivity in the fronto-parietal network in children with mood disorders compared to children with dyslexia during rest: An fMRI study.Neuroimage Clin. 2018;18:582-590. doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2018.02.034

9 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.World Health Organization.Adolescent mental health.Psycom Pro.AACAP: Risk of mental illness in children and adolescents - How to identify it. Can we prevent it?Shan ZY, Mohamed AZ, Schwenn P, et al.A longitudinal study of functional connectome uniqueness and its association with psychological distress in adolescence.Neuroimage. 2022;258:119358. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119358Dumontheil I.Adolescent brain development.Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences. 2016;10:39-44. doi:10.1016/j.cobeha.2016.04.012Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About mental health.Sheffield JM, Repovs G, Harms MP, et al.Fronto-parietal and cingulo-opercular network integrity and cognition in health and schizophrenia.Neuropsychologia. 2015;73:82-93. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2015.05.006Harvard University Center on the Developing Child.Executive function and self-regulation.Urben S, Constanty L, Lepage C, et al.The added value of a micro-level ecological approach when mapping self-regulatory control processes and externalizing symptoms during adolescence: A systematic review.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2022. doi:10.1007/s00787-022-01972-1Horowitz-Kraus T, Woodburn M, Rajagopal A, et al.Decreased functional connectivity in the fronto-parietal network in children with mood disorders compared to children with dyslexia during rest: An fMRI study.Neuroimage Clin. 2018;18:582-590. doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2018.02.034

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

World Health Organization.Adolescent mental health.Psycom Pro.AACAP: Risk of mental illness in children and adolescents - How to identify it. Can we prevent it?Shan ZY, Mohamed AZ, Schwenn P, et al.A longitudinal study of functional connectome uniqueness and its association with psychological distress in adolescence.Neuroimage. 2022;258:119358. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119358Dumontheil I.Adolescent brain development.Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences. 2016;10:39-44. doi:10.1016/j.cobeha.2016.04.012Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About mental health.Sheffield JM, Repovs G, Harms MP, et al.Fronto-parietal and cingulo-opercular network integrity and cognition in health and schizophrenia.Neuropsychologia. 2015;73:82-93. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2015.05.006Harvard University Center on the Developing Child.Executive function and self-regulation.Urben S, Constanty L, Lepage C, et al.The added value of a micro-level ecological approach when mapping self-regulatory control processes and externalizing symptoms during adolescence: A systematic review.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2022. doi:10.1007/s00787-022-01972-1Horowitz-Kraus T, Woodburn M, Rajagopal A, et al.Decreased functional connectivity in the fronto-parietal network in children with mood disorders compared to children with dyslexia during rest: An fMRI study.Neuroimage Clin. 2018;18:582-590. doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2018.02.034

World Health Organization.Adolescent mental health.

Psycom Pro.AACAP: Risk of mental illness in children and adolescents - How to identify it. Can we prevent it?

Shan ZY, Mohamed AZ, Schwenn P, et al.A longitudinal study of functional connectome uniqueness and its association with psychological distress in adolescence.Neuroimage. 2022;258:119358. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119358

Dumontheil I.Adolescent brain development.Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences. 2016;10:39-44. doi:10.1016/j.cobeha.2016.04.012

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About mental health.

Sheffield JM, Repovs G, Harms MP, et al.Fronto-parietal and cingulo-opercular network integrity and cognition in health and schizophrenia.Neuropsychologia. 2015;73:82-93. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2015.05.006

Harvard University Center on the Developing Child.Executive function and self-regulation.

Urben S, Constanty L, Lepage C, et al.The added value of a micro-level ecological approach when mapping self-regulatory control processes and externalizing symptoms during adolescence: A systematic review.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2022. doi:10.1007/s00787-022-01972-1

Horowitz-Kraus T, Woodburn M, Rajagopal A, et al.Decreased functional connectivity in the fronto-parietal network in children with mood disorders compared to children with dyslexia during rest: An fMRI study.Neuroimage Clin. 2018;18:582-590. doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2018.02.034

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