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(a); LA: left amygdala, (b);left amygdala adjusted by ICV, (c); RA: right amygdala, (d);right amygdala adjusted by ICV. The rates of monthly volume changes in the right and left amygdala. Positive values indicate increasing volume. The point of intersection on the x-axis represents the age of local maximal volume. Black line: whole group, blue line: males, red line: females.
Source publication
Knowledge of amygdalar and hippocampal development as they pertain to sex differences and laterality would help to understand not only brain development but also the relationship between brain volume and brain functions. However, few studies investigated development of these two regions, especially during infancy. The purpose of this study was to e...
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Citations
... White matter axonal connections also develop rapidly prenatally, with pruning and myelination largely beginning after birth (Dubois et al., 2014;Knickmeyer et al., 2008) and continuing to be refined into adulthood (Groeschel et al., 2010). The amygdala, in particular, increases steeply in volume postnatally over the first 3 years of life (Alex et al., 2023;Uematsu et al., 2012). Such periods of rapid growth are hypothesized to signal experience-expectant sensitivity to environmental inputs, which fosters early adaptation to the affordances in one's environment (Turecki and Meaney, 2016). ...
... Nevertheless, these findings align with existing literature on typically developing individuals, as described by Uematsu and colleagues (2012), which found initial rapid amygdala growth in early childhood followed by a plateau in late childhood and early adolescence. 59,60 Indeed, in typically developing individuals, the study of Uematsu and colleagues showed a non-linear age-related amygdala volume maturation with cubic models best characterizing the estimated developmental trajectories. 60 Literature also shows that timing plays an important role in both typical and atypical amygdala development, showing sensitive periods with higher growth rates, especially during early childhood. ...
... 59,60 Indeed, in typically developing individuals, the study of Uematsu and colleagues showed a non-linear age-related amygdala volume maturation with cubic models best characterizing the estimated developmental trajectories. 60 Literature also shows that timing plays an important role in both typical and atypical amygdala development, showing sensitive periods with higher growth rates, especially during early childhood. 61 Other factors, like sex, lateralization, and external factors (maternal closeness, defined as both physical and emotional closeness between the caregiver and the child) also impact rates of growth in the amygdala. ...
Background
Socio-emotional difficulties often result from very preterm (VPT) birth. The amygdala’s developmental trajectory, including its nuclei, has been recognized as a significant factor in observed difficulties. This study aims to assess the relationship between amygdala volume and socio-emotional competencies in VPT children and adolescents.
Methods
Socio-emotional competencies were assessed, and amygdala volumes, including subnuclei, were extracted automatically from structural scans in a cross-sectional cohort of VPT ( n = 75) and full-term (FT, n = 41) aged 6–14 years. Group differences in amygdala volumes were assessed using ANCOVA, and associations with socio-emotional competencies were studied using partial least squares correlation (PLSC). In a VPT subgroup, additional longitudinal data with amygdala volumes at term-equivalent age (TEA) were manually extracted, growth rates calculated, and associations with school-age socio-emotional competencies investigated using PLSC.
Results
Using cross-sectional data at school-age, amygdala volumes displayed comparable developmental patterns between the VPT and the FT groups. Greater volumes were associated with more emotional regulation difficulties in VPT and lower affect recognition competencies in FT. In the longitudinal VPT subgroup, no significant associations were found between amygdala volume trajectory and socio-emotional competencies.
Conclusion
Although our findings suggest typical amygdala development after VPT birth, further research is necessary to elucidate the developmental trajectory of amygdala and the role of resilience factors.
Impact
In our cohort, amygdala volumes, including subnuclei, displayed comparable developmental trajectories between the very preterm and the full-term groups.
Higher amygdala volumes at school-age were associated with higher emotional regulation difficulties in the very-preterm born group, and with lower affect recognition abilities in full-term born children and adolescents.
In a subgroup of very-preterm children and adolescents followed from birth to school-age, no significant associations were found between amygdala volumes at term-equivalent age and socio-emotional competencies at school-age.
... Though our results are consistent with the functional significance of delta-beta correlation indicated in this prior study, it is important to note, however, that the study of Myruski and colleagues focused on children aged 5-7 while our study focused on young adults aged 18-26. On the one hand, there are age differences in the use of emotion regulation strategies (Allen & Windsor, 2019;Zimmer-Gembeck & Skinner, 2011;Zimmermann & Iwanski, 2014); on the other hand, brain regions involved in emotion regulation, such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala (Scharnowski et al., 2020;Vrtička et al., 2011), continue to develop across childhood and adolescence (Giedd et al., 1996;Leppänen & Nelson, 2009;Morningstar et al., 2018;Uematsu et al., 2012). There is already evidence that the neural circuits involved in slow-fast wave coupling differ in children (greater coupling particularly within the hub of posterior default mode network involved in self-centered cognition) and adults (stronger coupling in brain circuits participating in sensory-motor integration, attentional control salience detection and response inhibition) (Knyazev et al., 2019;Vogt et al., 2006). ...
... Sex differences in brain development may confer sex-specific vulnerabilities to metal neurotoxicity during adolescence and young adulthood. Multiple studies have found that males display a relatively protracted maturation in brain regions associated with externalizing symptoms (e.g., amygdala, prefrontal cortex) compared to females, particularly in early and late adolescence (Fish et al., 2020;Gennatas et al., 2017;Lenroot et al., 2007;Lenroot and Giedd, 2010;Mills et al., 2014;Uematsu et al., 2012). Such findings suggest males may be more vulnerable to metal neurotoxicity in adolescence, and in turn, are at greater risk for metal-associated psychopathology. ...
... Structural development of the neuronal substrates for episodic-like memory Converging evidence, obtained from different species, point to a protracted structural development of the hippocampus. The volume of the hippocampus is known to double in the first 2 years of human life 172,173 with continued growth in the subsequent years, 174 and possibly into early adolescence. 172 However, the different subfields-cornu ammonis fields 1-3 (CA1-3) and dentate gyrus (DG) ( Figure 6A)-of the hippocampus are thought to develop at different rates, with area CA2 likely being relatively mature at birth, while the CA1 and CA3 fields and DG develop significantly in the post-natal period. ...
... The volume of the hippocampus is known to double in the first 2 years of human life 172,173 with continued growth in the subsequent years, 174 and possibly into early adolescence. 172 However, the different subfields-cornu ammonis fields 1-3 (CA1-3) and dentate gyrus (DG) ( Figure 6A)-of the hippocampus are thought to develop at different rates, with area CA2 likely being relatively mature at birth, while the CA1 and CA3 fields and DG develop significantly in the post-natal period. 174 The development of DG is known to be particularly protracted, lasting into the 2nd post-natal year at least. ...
... HV increases linearly until approximately 6 years of age and asymptotes in early adulthood in humans (14,15). ...
... We predicted that perceived stress and cortisol would be inversely related to HV, consistent with previous work (9,46). We also predicted that age would be positively associated with HV and cortisol, consistent with normative aging processes (6,15,16). We did not predict a relationship between biological sex and HV given inconsistent reports about sex differences in HV when volumes are corrected for eICV or total brain volume (48,49). ...
... Although these relationships were not significant, we observed a discrepancy between adolescent HCs and adolescents at CHR-P in the directionality of trends of age with bilateral HV. We observed a positive trend between those variables in HCs, consistent with normative developmental processes (15,16), but an inverse trend between those variables in those at CHR-P. These findings may be due to the restricted age range in our sample. ...
We invite interested readers to view this article at the link provided by the publisher, which will expire on March 22, 2024: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1iX331S07qKzy
... Two previous MBI studies also reported the adaptive behavioral changes being associated with right amygdala volumetric changes, but not the left amygdala (Hölzel et al., 2010;Kral et al., 2022). Research on human amygdala development suggests the right amygdala has a longer course of growth than the left amygdala (Uematsu et al., 2012), it is possible that the right amygdala may be particularly malleable to both environmental impact and behavioral changes. This study also found that post-MBI right amygdala volumetric changes were correlated with scores of several types of abuse, but not the neglect aspect of ACE. ...
Background
Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) has been shown to have detrimental impact on amygdala structure. Prior research found that adaptive psychological changes after Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBI) were associated with amygdala volumetric changes. The present study aims to further investigate whether such effects also occur among ACE survivors and whether the effects are unique to MBI.
Methods
A total of 64 young adult childhood adversity survivors were randomized to an eight-week MBI or Stress Management Education (SME) as an active control condition. Anatomical MRI and questionnaires on mindfulness, stress and psychological health were collected at baseline and post-intervention. Due to subject dropout, the final sample included 39 subjects (MBI:20, SME:19).
Results
Both groups showed increased mindfulness levels, reduced stress, and improved psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety, and somatization), with no significant group by time interaction effect. There was no significant group difference on amygdala volumetric changes. Within the MBI group, childhood maltreatment severity was a significant mediator between changes of mindfulness levels and right amygdala volumetric changes. Across pooled sample of both groups, childhood maltreatment was a significant moderator for the effect of trait anxiety level changes on left amygdala volumetric changes.
Limitations
Modest sample size, relatively low retention rates, suboptimal monitoring of home practice.
Conclusions
MBI did not demonstrate overall better clinical effects than SME. Psychological-change-dependent amygdala volumetric change was not specific to MBI. Childhood maltreatment severity modulated the relationships between adaptive psychological changes and amygdala volumetric changes.
... The first two years of life represent a period of dramatic growth and specialization of brain function (Doyle et al., 2021;Knickmeyer et al., 2008). The amygdala develops early in prenatal development (Humphrey, 1968), then undergoes non-linear growth in the first two years (Salzwedel et al., 2019;Uematsu et al., 2012). Early amygdala volume is impacted by early life stress (premature birth, institutional rearing) and is related to the intensity of fear response (Cismaru et al., 2016;Tottenham et al., 2010). ...
... Our samples of 257 and 158 are generally considered moderate size for longitudinal data collection across 6 to 12 years, but our number of children within certain groups (e.g., girls diagnosed with ASD in the IBIS sample) are relatively small. This may have limited our ability to detect certain effects, particularly the interplay of biological sex, which has been implicated in amygdala development and total cerebrum volume in prior studies (Marwha et al., 2017;Uematsu et al., 2012). Each study also had unique data processing pipelines and MRI analysis conventions (e.g., controlling for scanner, image quality ratings). ...
Amygdala function is implicated in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and anxiety. We investigated associations between early trajectories of amygdala growth and anxiety and ASD outcomes at school age in two longitudinal studies: high- and low-familial likelihood for ASD, Infant Brain Imaging Study (IBIS, n = 257) and typically developing (TD) community sample, Early Brain Development Study (EBDS, n = 158). Infants underwent MRI scanning at up to 3 timepoints from neonate to 24 months. Anxiety was assessed at 6–12 years. Linear multilevel modeling tested whether amygdala volume growth was associated with anxiety symptoms at school age. In the IBIS sample, children with higher anxiety showed accelerated amygdala growth from 6 to 24 months. ASD diagnosis and ASD familial likelihood were not significant predictors. In the EBDS sample, amygdala growth from birth to 24 months was associated with anxiety. More anxious children had smaller amygdala volume and slower rates of amygdala growth. We explore reasons for the contrasting results between high-familial likelihood for ASD and TD samples, grounding results in the broader literature of variable associations between early amygdala volume and later anxiety. Results have the potential to identify mechanisms linking early amygdala growth to later anxiety in certain groups.
... 14 An additional compartment of isotropic restriction was included to account for potential fixative effects as recommended. 15 The mean values for fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), neurite density index (NDI), and orientation dispersion index (ODI), which represent indices of axonal/intracellular diffusion in each diffusion model (DTI: FA, MD; NODDI: NDI, ODI), were calculated in each ROI using Pyradiomics 16,17 and compared among experimental groups. ...
... In addition to genotype differences in brain microstructure, we also found significant differences in both laterality and biological sex in our FA and ODI analyses in the amygdala, which are consistent with previously reported findings in human neuroimaging studies and altogether speaks to the translational strength of the rat genetic model. 17,18 However, our findings of laterality and sex differences in the thalamus have not been previously reported; that these differences were detected in our rat genetic model may reflect the added sensitivity of quantitative diffusion techniques and highlights a novel area of future study to understand the neurobiological substrates that give rise to these neuroimaging findings. ...
Purpose
The clinical diagnosis and classification of Alexander disease (AxD) relies in part on qualitative neuroimaging biomarkers; however, these biomarkers fail to distinguish and discriminate different subtypes of AxD, especially in the presence of overlap in clinical symptoms. To address this gap in knowledge, we applied neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) to an innovative CRISPR‐Cas9 rat genetic model of AxD to gain quantitative insights into the neural substrates and brain microstructural changes seen in AxD and to potentially identify novel quantitative NODDI biomarkers of AxD.
Methods
Multi‐shell DWI of age‐ and sex‐matched AxD and wild‐type Sprague Dawley rats (n = 6 per sex per genotype) was performed and DTI and NODDI measures calculated. A 3 × 2 × 2 analysis of variance model was used to determine the effect of genotype, biological sex, and laterality on quantitative measures of DTI and NODDI across regions of interest implicated in AxD.
Results
There is a significant effect of genotype in the amygdala, hippocampus, neocortex, and thalamus in measures of both DTI and NODDI brain microstructure. A genotype by biological sex interaction was identified in DTI and NODDI measures in the corpus callosum, hippocampus, and neocortex.
Conclusion
We present the first application of NODDI to the study of AxD using a rat genetic model of AxD. Our analysis identifies alterations in NODDI and DTI measures to large white matter tracts and subcortical gray nuclei. We further identified genotype by sex interactions, suggesting a possible role for biological sex in the neuropathogenesis of AxD.
... For example, the amygdala's high number of sex hormone receptors renders it highly influenced by sex hormones such as androgen and estrogen, which play distinct roles in its volume (Ham05). Furthermore, the peak of amygdala development differs between males and females (Uem12). The aforementioned factors contribute to the alleged amygdala volume differential between males and females. ...
