About the project
The adolescent brain is plastic, which enables fast development from childhood to adulthood. This period is, however, also associated with increased risk of developing mental disorders. Indeed, 50% of patients experience symptoms before 14 years of age and 75% before the
age of 24. Thus, the onset of most mental disorders co-occur with profound neurodevelopmental changes and transitions to new life-roles during adolescence. However, the mechanisms underlying risk and resilience in the adolescent brain are largely unknown, seriously impeding the development of useful tools for early detection, individual clinical prediction and treatment.
Objectives
This study will investigate the interactions between genetic, neurological, and environmental/social variables, both to understand and map normal brain development, as well as to uncover how abnormal development is associated with symptoms of mental illness. We will combine data from brain imaging, measures of cognition and mental health, and biological measures. In the long run, the results from this study will contribute to prevention,
detection, and treatment of mental disorders.
Financing
The project is financed by the Research Council of Norway (FRIMED2 - Researcher Project) 2020 - 2025.