title: Pubertal testosterone influences threat-related amygdala-orbitofrontal cortex coupling.
abstract: Growing evidence indicates that normative pubertal maturation is associated with increased threat reactivity, and this developmental shift has been implicated in the increased rates of adolescent affective disorders. However, the neural mechanisms involved in this pubertal increase in threat reactivity remain unknown. Research in adults indicates that testosterone transiently decreases amygdala-orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) coupling. Consequently, we hypothesized that increased pubertal testosterone disrupts amygdala-OFC coupling, which may contribute to developmental increases in threat reactivity in some adolescents. Hypotheses were tested in a longitudinal study by examining the impact of testosterone on functional connectivity. Findings were consistent with hypotheses and advance our understanding of normative pubertal changes in neural systems instantiating affect/motivation. Finally, potential novel insights into the neurodevelopmental pathways that may contribute to adolescent vulnerability to behavioral and emotional problems are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Alanta, GA, and Department of Psychology, Institute of Human Development, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA spielbergjm@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Spielberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Alanta, GA, and Department of Psychology, Institute of Human Development, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Erika E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Forbes
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Alanta, GA, and Department of Psychology, Institute of Human Development, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Cecile D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Ladouceur
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Alanta, GA, and Department of Psychology, Institute of Human Development, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Carol M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Worthman
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Alanta, GA, and Department of Psychology, Institute of Human Development, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Olino
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Alanta, GA, and Department of Psychology, Institute of Human Development, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Neal D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Alanta, GA, and Department of Psychology, Institute of Human Development, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Ronald E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Dahl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000679:Amygdala / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time; D012931:Social Environment; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone
keywords: OFC; amygdale; connectivity; puberty; testosterone; threat