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

NCT03534375 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: IRB2017-914
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 8
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Gender; Early Adolescent Behavior

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Female vs. Male differences of fMRI BOLD responses for SSRT Stop Signals

  Female vs. male differences of functional magnetic resonance imaging reactivity of the whole brain while performing a Stop Signal Reaction Time Task

  Outcome will be measured on the first study visit (day 1) of each subject. This will also be the only time point of measurement. Outcomes of all recruited subjects within the specified study period will be considered when reporting the outcome measure.

• Female vs. Male differences of fMRI BOLD responses in a Go-NoGo CPT

  Female vs. male differences of functional magnetic resonance imaging reactivity of the whole brain while performing a Go-NoGo Continuous Performance Task

  Outcome will be measured on the first study visit (day 1) of each subject. This will also be the only time point of measurement. Outcomes of all recruited subjects within the specified study period will be considered when reporting the outcome measure.

• Female vs. Male differences of brain structural connectivity

  Female vs. male differences of brain structural connectivity as measured by diffusion tensor imaging and analyzed using tract-based spatial statistics

  Outcome will be measured on the first study visit (day 1) of each subject. This will also be the only time point of measurement. Outcomes of all recruited subjects within the specified study period will be considered when reporting the outcome measure.

• Female vs. Male differences of brain structure

  Female vs. male differences of brain structure as determined by voxel based morphometry of structural magnetic resonance imaging data

  Outcome will be measured on the first study visit (day 1) of each subject. This will also be the only time point of measurement. Outcomes of all recruited subjects within the specified study period will be considered when reporting the outcome measure.

Secondary Outcomes (12)

• Female vs. male differences in delay discounting

  Outcome will be measured on the first study visit (day 1) of each subject. This will also be the only time point of measurement. Outcomes of all recruited subjects within the specified study period will be considered when reporting the outcome measure.

• Female vs. male differences in stop signal delay

  Outcome will be measured on the first study visit (day 1) of each subject. This will also be the only time point of measurement. Outcomes of all recruited subjects within the specified study period will be considered when reporting the outcome measure.

• Female vs. male differences in reaction times of correct Go responses

  Outcome will be measured on the first study visit (day 1) of each subject. This will also be the only time point of measurement. Outcomes of all recruited subjects within the specified study period will be considered when reporting the outcome measure.

• Female vs. male differences in commission errors in a Go-NoGo CPT

  Outcome will be measured on the first study visit (day 1) of each subject. This will also be the only time point of measurement. Outcomes of all recruited subjects within the specified study period will be considered when reporting the outcome measure.

• Female vs. male differences in Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test

  Outcome will be measured on the first study visit (day 1) of each subject. This will also be the only time point of measurement. Outcomes of all recruited subjects within the specified study period will be considered when reporting the outcome measure.

Other Outcomes (6)

• Female vs. male differences in commission errors in an SSRT

  Outcome will be measured on the first study visit (day 1) of each subject. This will also be the only time point of measurement. Outcomes of all recruited subjects within the specified study period will be considered when reporting the outcome measure.

• Female vs. male differences in omission errors in an SSRT

  Outcome will be measured on the first study visit (day 1) of each subject. This will also be the only time point of measurement. Outcomes of all recruited subjects within the specified study period will be considered when reporting the outcome measure.

• Female vs. male differences in omission errors in a Go-NoGo CPT

  Outcome will be measured on the first study visit (day 1) of each subject. This will also be the only time point of measurement. Outcomes of all recruited subjects within the specified study period will be considered when reporting the outcome measure.

Study Arms (2)

Female Early Adolescents

Other: The study is an observational cross sectional study

Male Early Adolescents

Other: The study is an observational cross sectional study

Interventions

The study is an observational cross sectional study OTHER

An intervention will not be performed

Female Early Adolescents; Male Early Adolescents

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 10 Years - 12 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Yes, participant eligibility is based on self-representation of gender identity.
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population will consist of healthy early adolescent (age 10-12 years) male and female subjects

You may qualify if:

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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Texas Tech University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Texas Tech University - Department of Human Development and Family Studies

Lubbock, Texas, 79409, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Coitus; Adolescent Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sexual Behavior; Behavior

Study Officials

• Elizabeth Trejos-Castillo, PhD

  Texas Tech University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Chanaka Kahathuduwa

  Texas Tech University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 9, 2018
• First Posted: May 23, 2018
• Study Start: May 14, 2018
• Primary Completion: April 30, 2019
• Study Completion: August 31, 2019
• Last Updated: October 25, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-10

Locations

US (1)