Adolescent Attention to Emotion Study

Visuocortical Dynamics of Affect-Biased Attention in the Development of Adolescent Depression

Rates of depression increase rapidly during adolescence, especially for girls, and, thus, research is needed to spur the development of novel interventions to prevent adolescent depression. This project seeks to determine if a novel visuocortical probe of affect-biased attention (i.e., steady-state visual evoked potentials derived from EEG) can 1) be used to prospectively predict depression using a multi-wave repeated measures design and 2) modify affect-biased attention and buffer subsequent mood reactivity using real time neurofeedback. This work could ultimately lead to improved identification of adolescents who are at high risk for depression and directly inform the development of mechanistic treatment targets to be used in personalized intervention prescriptions for high-risk youth.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants will include 90 female adolescents ages 13 years 0 months through 15 years 11 months at study entry.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Lifetime history of any Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) 5 depressive disorder
2. Lifetime history of taking antidepressants [e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs)]
3. Lifetime history of a DSM 5 psychotic, bipolar, or autistic spectrum disorder.
4. Presence of EEG contraindications (e.g., personal lifetime history of seizures or family history of hereditary epilepsy).
5. Being pre-pubertal
6. Lifetime history of a neurological or serious medical condition.
7. Lifetime history of head injury or congenital neurological anomalies (based on parent report).
8. Intelligence quotient (IQ) less than 80, as assessed using the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI).
9. Uncorrected visual disturbance
10. Being acutely suicidal or at risk for harm to self or others.