Subgenual anterior cingulate responses to peer rejection: a marker of adolescents' risk for depression.

TitleSubgenual anterior cingulate responses to peer rejection: a marker of adolescents' risk for depression.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsMasten CL, Eisenberger NI, Borofsky LA, McNealy K, Pfeifer JH, Dapretto M
JournalDev Psychopathol
Volume23
Issue1
Pagination283-92
Date Published2011 Feb
ISSN1469-2198
KeywordsAdolescent, Biomarkers, Brain, Depressive Disorder, Female, Gyrus Cinguli, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Peer Group, Rejection (Psychology), Risk Factors, Sex Factors, Stress, Psychological
Abstract

Extensive developmental research has linked peer rejection during adolescence with a host of psychopathological outcomes, including depression. Moreover, recent neuroimaging research has suggested that increased activity in the subgenual region of the anterior cingulate cortex (subACC), which has been consistently linked with depression, is related to heightened sensitivity to peer rejection among adolescents. The goal of the current study was to directly test the hypothesis that adolescents' subACC responses are predictive of their risk for future depression, by examining the relationship between subACC activity during peer rejection and increases in depressive symptoms during the following year. During a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan, 20 13-year-olds were ostensibly excluded by peers during an online social interaction. Participants' depressive symptoms were assessed via parental reports at the time of the scan and 1 year later. Region of interest and whole-brain analyses indicated that greater subACC activity during exclusion was associated with increases in parent-reported depressive symptoms during the following year. These findings suggest that subACC responsivity to social exclusion may serve as a neural marker of adolescents' risk for future depression and have implications for understanding the relationship between sensitivity to peer rejection and the increased risk of depression that occurs during adolescence.

DOI10.1017/S0954579410000799
Alternate JournalDev. Psychopathol.
PubMed ID21262054
PubMed Central IDPMC3229829
Grant ListF31 MH084386-01 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
RR00865 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
RR12169 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States
RR13642 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States