Intra-individual cortical networks in Anorexia Nervosa: Evidence from a longitudinal dataset.

Objective: This work investigates cortical thickness (CT) and gyrification patterns in Anorexia Nervosa (AN) before and after short-term weight restoration using graph theory tools.

Methods: 38 female adolescents with AN underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging scans at baseline and after - on average - 3.5 months following short-term weight restoration while 53 age-matched healthy controls (HCs) were scanned once.

Confound-leakage: confound removal in machine learning leads to leakage.

Background: Machine learning (ML) approaches are a crucial component of modern data analysis in many fields, including epidemiology and medicine. Nonlinear ML methods often achieve accurate predictions, for instance, in personalized medicine, as they are capable of modeling complex relationships between features and the target. Problematically, ML models and their predictions can be biased by confounding information present in the features.

Brain Structure in Acutely Underweight and Partially Weight-Restored Individuals With Anorexia Nervosa: A Coordinated Analysis by the ENIGMA Eating Disorders Working Group.

Background: The pattern of structural brain abnormalities in anorexia nervosa (AN) is still not well understood. While several studies report substantial deficits in gray matter volume and cortical thickness in acutely underweight patients, others find no differences, or even increases in patients compared with healthy control subjects. Recent weight regain before scanning may explain some of this heterogeneity.

Neural mechanisms underlying social recognition and theory of mind in adolescent patients with bulimia nervosa and transdiagnostic comparison with anorexia nervosa.

Introduction: Theory of mind (ToM) is important for social interactions and typical development and has been found to be impaired in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). Hypoactivation in frontotemporal brain regions seems to be the underlying neural mechanism in AN while whole-brain analyses in BN are lacking.

Methods: We used the well-validated social recognition task fMRI paradigm to assess ToM in a total of 72 female adolescents (16 BN, 18 AN and 38 matched healthy controls [HC]).

Comprehensive verbal fluency features predict executive function performance.

Semantic verbal fluency (sVF) tasks are commonly used in clinical diagnostic batteries as well as in a research context. When performing sVF tasks to assess executive functions (EFs) the sum of correctly produced words is the main measure. Although previous research indicates potentially better insights into EF performance by the use of finer grained sVF information, this has not yet been objectively evaluated.

Recovery-Associated Resting-State Activity and Connectivity Alterations in Anorexia Nervosa.

Background: Previous studies provided controversial insight on the impact of starvation, disease status, and underlying gray matter volume (GMV) changes on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging alterations in anorexia nervosa (AN). Here, we adapt a combined longitudinal and cross-sectional approach to disentangle the effects of these factors on resting-state alterations in AN.

Methods: Overall, 87 female subjects were included in the study: adolescent patients with acute AN scanned at inpatient admission (n = 22, mean age 15.

Analysis of structural brain asymmetries in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in 39 datasets.

Objective: Some studies have suggested alterations of structural brain asymmetry in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but findings have been contradictory and based on small samples. Here, we performed the largest ever analysis of brain left-right asymmetry in ADHD, using 39 datasets of the ENIGMA consortium.

Methods: We analyzed asymmetry of subcortical and cerebral cortical structures in up to 1,933 people with ADHD and 1,829 unaffected controls.

Neural Correlates of Empathy in Boys With Early Onset Conduct Disorder.

A deficit in empathy has repeatedly been described in individuals with conduct disorder (CD), and in particular in those with callous unemotional traits. Until now, little is known about the neural basis of empathy in children and adolescents with early onset conduct disorder. The aim of this study was to examine neural responses during empathizing in children and adolescents with CD with a task that allowed to differentiate between the judgment of the emotional states of other people and the own emotional response to other people's emotional state.

Brain Imaging of the Cortex in ADHD: A Coordinated Analysis of Large-Scale Clinical and Population-Based Samples.

Objective: Neuroimaging studies show structural alterations of various brain regions in children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), although nonreplications are frequent. The authors sought to identify cortical characteristics related to ADHD using large-scale studies.

Methods: Cortical thickness and surface area (based on the Desikan-Killiany atlas) were compared between case subjects with ADHD (N=2,246) and control subjects (N=1,934) for children, adolescents, and adults separately in ENIGMA-ADHD, a consortium of 36 centers.

Accuracy and bias of automatic hippocampal segmentation in children and adolescents.

The hippocampus (Hc) is of great importance in various psychiatric diseases in adults, children and adolescents. Automated Hc segmentation has been widely used in adults, implying sufficient overlap with manual segmentation. However, estimation biases related to the Hc volume have been pointed out.

Correction to: Somatic symptom and related disorders in children and adolescents: evaluation of a naturalistic inpatient multidisciplinary treatment.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13034-018-0239-y.].

Somatic symptom and related disorders in children and adolescents: evaluation of a naturalistic inpatient multidisciplinary treatment.

Background: This naturalistic study assesses the effectiveness of inpatient multidisciplinary treatment of children and adolescents with somatic symptom disorders (SSD) and investigates the role of pain coping strategies and psychiatric comorbidity (anxiety, depression).

Methods: Sixty children and adolescents (mean age 14.4 years) with SSD who underwent inpatient multidisciplinary treatment were assessed regarding their school attendance, levels of discomfort, coping strategies and psychiatric comorbidity (depression, anxiety) at pretreatment, discharge and 6 months following treatment.

Effects of Early-Life Adversity on Hippocampal Structures and Associated HPA Axis Functions.

Early-life adversity (ELA) is one of the major risk factors for serious mental and physical health risks later in life. ELA has been associated with dysfunctional neurodevelopment, especially in brain structures such as the hippocampus, and with dysfunction of the stress system, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Children who have experienced ELA are also more likely to suffer from mental health disorders such as depression later in life.

Subcortical brain volume differences in participants with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults: a cross-sectional mega-analysis.

Background: Neuroimaging studies have shown structural alterations in several brain regions in children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Through the formation of the international ENIGMA ADHD Working Group, we aimed to address weaknesses of previous imaging studies and meta-analyses, namely inadequate sample size and methodological heterogeneity. We aimed to investigate whether there are structural differences in children and adults with ADHD compared with those without this diagnosis.

Brain volume reduction predicts weight development in adolescent patients with anorexia nervosa.

Background: Acute anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with marked brain volume loss potentially leading to neuropsychological deficits. However, the mechanisms leading to this brain volume loss and its influencing factors are poorly understood and the clinical relevance of these brain alterations for the outcome of these AN-patients is yet unknown.

Methods: Brain volumes of 56 female adolescent AN inpatients and 50 healthy controls (HCs) were measured using MRI scans.

Patterns and correlates of expressed emotion, perceived criticism, and rearing style in first admitted early-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

The aim of this study was to assess patterns and correlates of family variables in 31 adolescents treated for their first episode of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (early-onset schizophrenia [EOS]). Expressed emotion, perceived criticism, and rearing style were assessed. Potential correlates were patient psychopathology, premorbid adjustment, illness duration, quality of life (QoL), sociodemographic variables, patient and caregiver "illness concept," and caregiver personality traits and support.

Morphological changes in the brain of acutely ill and weight-recovered patients with anorexia nervosa. A meta-analysis and qualitative review.

Objective: Acute anorexia nervosa (AN) leads to reduced gray (GM) and white matter (WM) volume in the brain, which however improves again upon restoration of weight. Yet little is known about the extent and clinical correlates of these brain changes, nor do we know much about the time-course and completeness of their recovery.

Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis and a qualitative review of all magnetic resonance imaging studies involving volume analyses of the brain in both acute and recovered AN.

Reduced cortisol in boys with early-onset conduct disorder and callous-unemotional traits.

Background: A growing body of evidence suggests an association between altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis reactivity and the development of persistent antisocial behavior in children. However the effects of altered cortisol levels remain poorly understood in the complex context of conduct disorder, callous-unemotional (CU) personality traits, and frequent comorbidities, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The aim of the current study was to investigate associations among CU traits, antisocial behavior, and comorbid ADHD symptomatology with cortisol levels in male children and adolescents.