Gender Differences of Neuroanatomical and Neurophysiological Correlates of Risk-proneness in Early Adolescents

Texas Tech University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Gender; Early Adolescent Behavior

Treatments: Other: The study is an observational cross sectional study

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03534375

IRB2017-914

Details and patient eligibility

About

Risk-taking in early adolescence have has been found to be normative and even formative as it might fulfill the youth's needs to experiment different sensations, make independent decisions and learn from their consequences. Several theoretical models have suggested that male and female adolescents differ in risk-taking as a product of individual/contextual factors and neocortical functioning; however, the neurophysiological and neuropsychological correlates of those differences continue to be underexplored. Informed by Evolutionary Neuroandrogenic Theory, the investigators examine the links between gender, risk-proneness, gratification delay, self-control, self-efficacy, executive functions and neurophysiological-neuroanatomical correlates in early adolescents (age 10-12 years). Participants (N=24; 50% females) will complete behavioral measurements on study constructs and perform neuropsychological tests using fMRI scanning (e.g., Go/NoGo continuous performance, stop-signal reaction time, NIH Cognition Battery, delay discounting). Female and male groups will be compared on all outcome measures.

Enrollment: 8 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 10 to 12 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Early adolescents (age 10-12 years)
• Male and female

Exclusion criteria

• Gross impairment of vision or hearing that would prevent the participants from performing neuropsychological tasks
• Inability to read and follow written instructions
• WISC-V IQ score of < 80
• Physical, neurological or concurrent psychiatric impairments that could affect cognitive and motor functions
• Regular intake of medication that could alter visual, auditory, cognitive or motor functions
• History of head injury that resulted in loss of consciousness / history of brain surgery
• Current / past history of smoking and / or alcohol or drug abuse
• Absolute contraindications to undergo MRI

Trial design

8 participants in 2 patient groups

Female Early Adolescents

Treatment:

Other: The study is an observational cross sectional study

Male Early Adolescents

Treatment:

Other: The study is an observational cross sectional study