A new study has identified a characteristic pattern of brain activity – the ‘NP factor’ – that may underlie the onset of multiple mental health disorders in adolescence.
The findings suggest that problems with the brain’s ability to ‘prune’ connections may be at the root of many mental health problems, and could pave the way for early detection and intervention.
A new study published today suggests that a wide range of mental health disorders that begin during adolescence may be linked to problems with the brain’s ability to ‘prune’ unnecessary connections.
The research, led by an international collaboration of scientists from the UK, China, and Germany, may help to shed light on why individuals are often affected by multiple mental health disorders and could pave the way for earlier detection and intervention to identify those most at risk.
Adolescent mental health disorders
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression, anxiety, and behavioural disorders like ADHD are among the primary causes of illness and disability in young people aged 10-19 years old, affecting one in seven adolescents worldwide.
Adolescence is a critical time for the emergence of many mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, which present as ‘internalizing’ symptoms like low mood and worrying. Externalizing symptoms like impulsive behavior, on the other hand, are exhibited in other disorders like ADHD.
“Young people often experience multiple mental health disorders, beginning in adolescence and continuing – and often transforming – into adult life,” explains Professor Barbara Sahakian, adding, “this suggests that there’s a common brain mechanism that could explain the onset of these mental health disorders during this critical time of brain development.”
Brain pruning and mental health
The latest study published in Nature Medicine reveals that researchers have discovered a pattern of brain activity, which they have named the ‘neuropsychopathological factor’ or NP factor.
The study examined data from 1,750 14-year-old adolescents from the IMAGEN cohort, a European research project aimed at understanding how biological, psychological, and environmental factors during adolescence can impact brain development and mental health.
The researchers examined imaging data from brain scans taken during cognitive tasks to identify patterns of brain connectivity.
The study found that adolescents who experienced mental health problems displayed similar patterns of brain activity, which were predominantly located in the frontal lobes – the region responsible for executive function, emotional behavior, and self-control.
ABCD study and mental health
The team replicated their findings in 1,799 participants from the long-term ABCD Study, which focuses on brain development and child health in the USA, as well as in patients with psychiatric diagnoses.
The study also found that individuals with a specific variant of the IGSF11 gene, which is associated with multiple mental health disorders, had the strongest NP factor. This gene is known to play a crucial role in synaptic pruning, the process of discarding unnecessary brain connections, which is particularly important in the frontal lobes – the last brain regions to complete development during adolescence and young adulthood.
“As we grow up, our brains make more and more connections,” explains Dr. Tianye Jia.
“This is a normal part of our development. But too many connections risk making the brain inefficient. Synaptic pruning helps ensure that brain activity doesn’t get drowned out in ‘white noise’.”
The findings of this study show “that when this important pruning process is disrupted, it affects how brain regions talk to each other. As this impact is seen most in the frontal lobes, this then has implications for mental health.”
Early detection of mental health disorders
According to the researchers, the identification of the ‘NP factor’ may aid in the identification of young individuals who are at a greater risk of developing multiple mental health disorders, leading to better prevention and intervention strategies.
“We know that many mental health disorders begin in adolescence and that individuals who develop one disorder are at increased risk of developing other disorders, too. By examining brain activity and looking for this NP factor,” adds Professor Jianfeng Feng, “we might be able to detect those at greatest risk sooner, offering us more opportunity to intervene and reduce this risk.”
Source: 10.1038/s41591-023-02317-4
Image Credit: Getty