Brain development patterns in early childhood linked to depressive symptoms

A new study is shedding light on how depressive symptoms in adolescents may develop differently among boys and girls. Researchers in Singapore analysed more than 900 brain scans from over 500 children. These scans were taken when the children were aged four-and-a-half, six and seven-and-a-half years old. The researchers found that some early brain development patterns were linked to later depressive symptoms. Signs include low moods and poor self-esteem for girls and tiredness and a sense of ineffectiveness for boys. We invited two scientists from the A*STAR Institute for Human Development and Potential to share their insights. They are senior scientist - Dr Chan Shi Yu - and principal scientist - Assistant Professor Tan Ai Peng, who is also from the Department of Diagnostic Radiology at NUS Medicine.