The Neural Underpinnings of Childhood Adversity

ongoing

"Experiences of childhood adversity are major risk factors for subsequent vulnerability to psychopathology. Although research suggests that specific brain regions are particularly sensitive to childhood adversity, the mechanisms that underlie these associations are yet to be elucidated and it is unclear how widespread connectivity networks contribute to this vulnerability phenotype. This project aims to determine the functional connectivity networks in the brain that bare the signatures of negative experiences and the neuroendocrine mechanisms that facilitate such alterations. To achieve this, we propose two studies utilizing data from the UK Biobank. Study 1 will investigate the resting state networks associated with early adversity. This study will benefit from the statistical advantages of ""big data"". It will be the first analysis of this magnitude looking at the interplay between early life events and neural networks. Study 2 will characterize the inter-individual variations in adversity-related functional changes, by addressing the moderating effects of glucocorticoid-related genetic variants that increase biological vulnerability. This study will contribute innovatively to the state-of-the-art in the emerging field of imaging genetics. This research uses advanced statistical strategies for neuroimaging analysis of an unprecedented number of scans and use of innovative analysis infrastructures under the FAIR principles. Furthermore, it is strongly multidisciplinary, involving a combination of psychological theory, neuropsychology, neuroimaging, machine learning and genetics. This action will involve end-users in all implementation stages, with the aim to engage the public in science education, raise awareness of stress-related consequences and the need for widespread access to mental health care. The proposal encompasses knowledge transfer to the host institution, as well as extensive hands-on training for the candidate supported by the expertise of the host."