This thesis had two main focuses. First, it investigated the mechanisms underlying individual differences in brain structure, developmental changes, and function. Second, it examined how enriched... Show moreThis thesis had two main focuses. First, it investigated the mechanisms underlying individual differences in brain structure, developmental changes, and function. Second, it examined how enriched and deprived environments affect brain development from middle childhood to early adolescence (ages 7-14). The study revealed distinct genetic and environmental influences on the developing brain during this period. Genetic contributions largely explained the variations in brain structure and developmental changes, along with location-specific environmental factors. While studies on genetic and environmental influences on brain regions showed both overlapping and unique outcomes, the interplay between these influences is complex. Using MRI and fMRI provided a comprehensive understanding of how individual differences arise. Additionally, the thesis highlighted the distinct effects of specific environmental influences on brain development. An enriched cognitive environment, such as musical ability, was linked to attenuated development, while a deprived environment, exemplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerated development. Notably, the brain showed resilience to adverse effects, particularly in TPJ growth during the pandemic, suggesting adaptive processes during this developmental phase. Future research should explore whether the relationship between environmental effects and brain maturation pace is linked to positive mental health outcomes. Ultimately, identifying interventions to ensure all children thrive throughout their development is crucial. Show less
Why do some children easily find their way in social situations and are satisfied with their social lives, while others experience more difficulties? One key component that may explain this is... Show moreWhy do some children easily find their way in social situations and are satisfied with their social lives, while others experience more difficulties? One key component that may explain this is social competence: the ability to fulfill both own and other’s social goals. This thesis focused on individual differences in social competence from childhood to adolescence by examining contextual, developmental and neurobiological influences on aggressive and prosocial responses to social evaluation. Findings showed robust neural processes related to social feedback and subsequent aggression already in middle childhood. Additionally, this thesis revealed that the period between childhood and adolescence is important for the behavioral and neural development of inhibition of aggression following negative, neutral and positive social feedback. Aggression following social feedback decreased towards adolescence, but aggression following positive feedback decreased earlier in childhood than following negative feedback. Moreover, the involvement of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, known for its role in executive functioning, decreased over time. Finally, results indicated that the co-occurrence of aggression following rejection and prosocial behavior following observed rejection may possibly protect against externalizing behaviors and promote wellbeing. This thesis highlights the importance of examining the interplay of developmental processes across social contexts to understand mental health outcomes. Show less
Meulen, M. van der; Steinbeis, N.A.J.; Achterberg, M.; IJzendoorn, M.H. van; Crone, E.A.M. 2018
Experiencing and observing social exclusion and inclusion, as well as prosocial behavior, are important aspects of social relationships in childhood. However, it is currently unknown to what extent... Show moreExperiencing and observing social exclusion and inclusion, as well as prosocial behavior, are important aspects of social relationships in childhood. However, it is currently unknown to what extent these processes and their neural correlates differ in heritability. We investigated influences of genetics and environment on experiencing social exclusion and compensating for social exclusion of others with the Prosocial Cyberball Game using fMRI in a twin sample (aged 7–9; N = 500). Neuroimaging analyses (N = 283) revealed that experiencing possible self-exclusion resulted in activity in inferior frontal gyrus and medial prefrontal cortex, which was influenced by genetics and unique environment. Experiencing self-inclusion was associated with activity in anterior cingulate cortex, insula and striatum, but this was not significantly explained by genetics or shared environment. We found that children show prosocial compensating behavior when observing social exclusion. Prosocial compensating behavior was associated with activity in posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus, and showed unique environmental effects or measurement error at both behavioral and neural level. Together, these findings show that in children neural activation for experiencing possible self-exclusion and self-inclusion, and for displaying prosocial compensating behavior, is accounted for by unique environmental factors and measurement error, with a small genetic effect on possible self-exclusion. Show less
Bartels, M.; Hendriks, A.; Mauri, M.; Krapohl, E.; Whipp, A.; Bolhuis, K.; ... ; Boomsma, D.I. 2018
Growth impairment is considered a relatively early sign of poor health in children. Depending on its setting and the age of the child the impairment is expressed in several ways. In industrialized... Show moreGrowth impairment is considered a relatively early sign of poor health in children. Depending on its setting and the age of the child the impairment is expressed in several ways. In industrialized countries, where malnutrition is rare, the major purpose of growth monitoring, implying regular measurements of weight and length, is early detection of growth disorders, such as Turner__s syndrome (TS), Growth Hormone deficiency (GHD) and celiac disease (CD). For an early identification of children with abnormal growth it is important to have correct and well-defined referral criteria as well as a good growth monitoring system, with accurate growth charts and a well defined diagnostic work-up. In this thesis an effort is made to collect evidence on referral criteria and diagnostic procedures for the assessment of short stature in children, leading to a presentation of new guidelines. Show less
