Brain Plasticity Research Group
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About us
The Brain Plasticity Research Group explores the interplay between genetics and environment as they shape the structure and function of the developing and aging brain. As we experience life, the human brain adapts in response to various stimuli, influencing our cognitive abilities, personalities, and behaviors from infancy to adulthood. Throughout lifespan, the brain continues to change, reflecting a complex interplay of genetic predispositions and environmental factors. Our research seeks to unravel individual differences in brain development and aging, as well as identify biomarkers for disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease, ultimately informing strategies for promoting healthy cognitive aging and preventing neurodegenerative diseases.
Join us at OHBM 2024 conference in Seoul
The Brain Plasticity Research Group is excited to announce its presence at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM) in Seoul, South Korea, from June 23rd to June 27th external link. The group will be showcasing its latest research findings through four engaging poster presentations. Here’s a sneak peek at what you can expect:
Poster #1316: “Automated fetal ICV annotation in 3D-ultrasound: Sex-specific brain development and outcome at age 3 in the
YOUth Baby and Child Cohort” presented by Dr. Sonja de Zwarte
The study investigates the link between prenatal brain development and behavioral outcomes in children at age 3. Using 3D ultrasound images, we analyzed fetal intracranial volume (ICV) and growth patterns in a large sample of children with our custom in-house software pipeline utilizing a 3D convolutional neural network external link. The results show that lower ICV in mid-gestation is associated with higher scores on anxiety/depression and attention deficit hyperactivity problems scales, particularly in girls. This study highlights the importance of early brain development for future behavioral outcomes and suggests sex-specific differences in prenatal brain development. Further research is needed to explore these findings and their implications for infant environment and behavior.
Poster #1249: “White Matter integrity across the lifespan: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies” presented by Msc. Karis Colyer Patel
The study systematically reviewed longitudinal studies to investigate changes in white matter integrity (as measured by fractional anisotropy, or FA) across the lifespan. The analysis showed that FA increases until early adulthood, plateaus between ages 25-42, and then decreases until age 65, followed by non-significant change up to age 76. The study found similar patterns of FA change in healthy populations. The results suggest that white matter integrity changes within individuals across the lifespan, with implications for development, aging, and disease risk.
Poster #862: “Validation of polygenic scores for longitudinal changes in brain structures” presented by Dr. Jalmar Teeuw
We constructed polygenic scores (PGS) based on our previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) that identified genetic variants associated with longitudinal changes in brain structure across the lifespan external link. We validated these PGS in three cohorts: the ABCD study, UK Biobank, and UMC Utrecht cohorts of individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The results showed that PGS were positively associated with brain changes in all three cohorts, with some specific associations between PGS and volume changes in particular brain structures. These findings suggest that PGS can be used to explore relationships with other traits such as neuropsychiatric disorders and cognitive functioning.
Poster #1319: “The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex mediates the association between psychological control and externalizing behavior in youth” presented by Dr. Jalmar Teeuw
The study investigated the link between parenting styles, brain development, and externalizing behaviors in typically developing children. We analyzed data from the YOUth Child & Adolescent cohort at ages 9 and 12 years. The results showed that higher psychological control and less strict supervision were associated with higher levels of externalizing behavior. Brain regions such as amygdala, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and orbitofrontal cortex were linked to these behaviors. We found that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex partially mediated the association between parenting style and externalizing behavior.
Contact
If you’d like to learn more about our research or would like to collaborate with our team, we invite you to get in touch with us. Our researchers are passionate about understanding the complex relationships between genes, environment, and brain development/aging, and we’re always excited to share our findings with others. Whether you’re a fellow researcher, student, or simply curious about how our work can impact your life, we’d love to hear from you. Please feel free to contact us at through our contact form to request more information, or discuss potential research opportunities. We look forward to connecting with you!