The brains of adolescents struggling with mental illness are “wired” differently

Adolescence can be a difficult developmental time in a young person’s life. A recent study shows that teenagers struggling with mental health problems are “wired” differently, compared to other teenagers. Neuroscientists from the University of Alberta (Canada) have discovered that the structure of the brain differs between adolescents with mental health problems and those with “good” mental health. The article is published in the journal Brain Imaging and Behavior.

The research, led by Anthony Singhal, professor and chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of Alberta, focused on adolescents aged 14 to 17 who had a history of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety and attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADHD).

Difference in brain white matter

The adolescents in this study underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Adolescents not suffering from any mental illness also underwent these examinations, in order to compare them.

The scans looked at the white matter in their brains. The results showed clear differences in connective neural pathways, depending on cognitive control, between healthy adolescents and those with mental health issues.

“We found that pathways were structurally less efficient in patients than in healthy controls,” says Anthony Singhal. Moreover, these observations were correlated with the results of the attention control tests. In other words, lower neural efficiency in key pathways has been associated with a reduced overall tendency to focus attention.”

The study is one of the first to show these results in adolescents, adding to previous research with adult participants. “Strictly speaking, there are no differences between people’s brains, insists Anthony Singhal. It’s not that simple, but you have to start somewhere, and that’s a good place to start.”