Works In Progress

FIT-NG 2026

Strange Simulation: Optimizing Multilevel Models of Infant Brain-Behavior Dynamics During the Strange Situation

Methods. Using pilot-informed simulated data, we tested time- versus episode-coded representations of the Strange Situation, within-infant frontal alpha–engagement coupling, effects of sample size, sampling density, and noise on model recovery, and bias introduced when within- and between-infant EEG effects are not separated.

Results. Episode-coded models outperformed time-coded models. Within-infant EEG–behavior coupling was reliably recovered even under moderate noise at N ≥ 60. Sampling density within each infant was as important as total sample size, and omitting person-mean centering inflated Type I error by conflating within- and between-infant effects.

FLUX 2026

White Matter Correlates of Executive Function in Early-Middle Childhood

Objective. We explored the link between white matter microstructure and executive functioning domains in 85 children ages 3.5–8.1 years (M = 5.25, SD = 1.02) in the Greater Houston area.

Methods. White matter tracts included dorsal, peri-genual, and temporal subdivisions of the cingulum bundle, the inferior longitudinal fasciculus, and branches I–III of the superior longitudinal fasciculus. Executive functioning was assessed using selected WPPSI-IV, NEPSY-II, and BASC-3 measures.

Results. Working-memory scores were significantly associated with fractional anisotropy in the left ILF, right temporal cingulum bundle, and bilateral dorsal cingulum bundle. The left peri-genual cingulum and multiple SLF branches were negatively correlated with attentional-control deficits. Among working-memory associations, the left ILF remained significant in multiple regression analyses.

INS 2026

Neurodevelopmental Sensitivity to Context: Socioeconomic Status, Frontolimbic Structure, & Affect Recognition in Preschool Children

Objective. This study examined whether age, socioeconomic status, and frontolimbic brain structure uniquely predict affect recognition in preschool-aged children and whether frontolimbic structure moderates the association between socioeconomic status and affect recognition.

Methods. Affect recognition was assessed using the NEPSY-II Affect Recognition subtest. T1-weighted MRI measures included volume, surface area, cortical thickness, curvature, convexity, and vertex count in frontolimbic regions of interest.

Results. Income-to-needs ratio was a consistent independent predictor of affect recognition across models. Preliminary moderation effects involving orbitofrontal cortical thickness and hippocampal structure suggest that frontolimbic development may contribute to children's sensitivity to socioeconomic context during early socioemotional development.

ISDP 2025

Atypical ERP Responses to Dynamically Changing Facial Expressions Correlate With Behavioral Risk in Toddlers Born Preterm

Objective. Leveraging EEG as a developmentally sensitive neuroimaging tool, we examined associations between premature birth status and event-related potentials (N290, P400, and NC) elicited while toddlers between 15 and 30 months corrected age passively viewed dynamically changing facial expressions.

Methods. Toddlers completed a passive-viewing dynamic facial-expression task. Analyses included frontotemporal source localization and associations between ERPs and BITSEA measures of problem behaviors, competence, internalizing, and externalizing.

Results. Very and extremely preterm birth was associated with larger P400 and frontal NC amplitudes and reduced right-hemispheric lateralization of N290, P400, and NC latencies relative to late preterm birth. These ERP differences suggest variation in social-brain development associated with gestational risk.

FLUX 2024

Effects of Maternal Childhood Maltreatment Exposure on White Matter Integrity in Young Children

Objective. To assess the effects of maternal childhood trauma on offspring white matter.

Methods. MRI (DTI) and parent report of childhood maltreatment exposure.

Results. Findings suggest differences in offspring white matter associated with maternal childhood maltreatment exposure, including circuitry involved in emotional and stress processing and higher cognitive abilities.

FLUX 2024

The Influence of Perinatal and Concurrent Risk on Cognition When Experienced During Sensitive Periods of Development

Hypothesis. We hypothesized that perinatal risk factors and early-childhood socioeconomic risk would have differential impacts on children's cognitive abilities, specifically verbal comprehension and visuospatial skills.

Methods. Visuospatial and verbal-comprehension tasks from the WPPSI, parent reports of substance use and pregnancy complications, income, birth outcomes, and the Child Opportunity Index.

Results. Greater socioeconomic risk was associated with poorer cognitive outcomes compared with perinatal risk exposure. Neighborhood deprivation was associated with visuospatial outcomes over and above other indicators of socioeconomic risk.

FLUX 2024

Exploring Effects of Family Resources on Amygdala Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Early Childhood

FIT'NG 2024

Neural Indicators of Visual Attention in Premature Toddlers

Goal. To investigate the neural basis of visual-attention development in toddlers born prematurely to better understand behavioral risk.

Methods. Toddlers engaged in a sustained-attention task during EEG recording. Sustained attention was quantified using the proportion of looking behavior toward the stimulus.

Results. Behavioral measures and alpha power exhibited similar developmental trajectories across age in the preterm group. Findings suggest that earlier gestational age may be associated with altered neural developmental trajectories in visual attention.

FLUX 2023 · SANTA ROSA, CA

Associations Between Socioemotional Neural Responses and Behavioral Outcomes in Toddlers Born Preterm

Hypotheses. Toddlers born with more severe levels of prematurity were expected to exhibit poorer brain function as represented by ERPs. Toddler brain function was also expected to be associated with externalizing problems.

Methods. Dynamic facial-expression task, behavioral assessment, and EEG.

Results. Toddlers with different severity levels of prematurity did not show differences in their ERPs. NC amplitude was significantly associated with child externalizing problems represented by noncompliance.

FLUX 2023 · SANTA ROSA, CA

The Impact of Varying Dimensions of Adversity on the Neurofunction of Working Memory in Early Childhood

Goal. To examine associations between adverse experiences related to caregiving and distal risk and the neurofunction of visuospatial working memory in early childhood.

Methods. Visuospatial working-memory task, caregiver mental-health composite, distal-risk composite, and fNIRS.

Results. Environmental risk and caregiver mental health showed differential associations with neurofunctional activity during working memory.

FLUX 2023 · SANTA ROSA, CA

Integrating Dimensional Models of Early Adversity: Relative Contributions of Caregiver and Environmental Risks on Frontal-Limbic Development in Early Childhood

Hypothesis. We hypothesized that adversity in the caregiving context, including parent psychopathology and family involvement with Child Protective Services, would be uniquely associated with brain development over and above environmental stressors.

Methods. Caregiving-risk composite, family CPS involvement, environmental-risk composite, and MRI.

Results. The hypotheses were partially supported, with caregiving-related risk showing more consistent associations with neurodevelopment than environmental factors.

SRCD 2023 · SALT LAKE CITY, UT

Exploring Associations Between Stress Exposures, Parenting, and Psychopathology

Hypothesis. We hypothesized that parenting practices would have a greater influence on psychopathology symptoms among younger youth and that parenting would moderate associations between contextual stressors and psychopathology.

Methods. Pubertal status, contextual stressors, youth psychopathology, and parenting practices.

Results. Contrary to the hypotheses, significant effects were not observed for associations between parenting, stressors, and psychopathology in pre- and post-puberty groups.

FLUX 2022 · PARIS, FRANCE

Differences in the Neural Processing of Dynamic Expressions in Toddlers Born Preterm

Hypotheses. We expected a larger neural response to angry facial expressions and differences in neural responses between children born very and extremely preterm.

Methods. Dynamic facial-expression task and EEG.

Results. Toddlers born preterm showed greater sensitivity to angry than happy and neutral facial expressions. Neural responses did not significantly differ between toddlers born extremely and very preterm.

ISDP 2022 · SAN DIEGO, CA

Parasympathetic Regulation During Executive Function Tasks and Behavioral Outcomes Among Low-SES Children

Goals. To examine physiological variability during cool and hot executive function relative to baseline, its relationship with executive-function performance, and associations between physiological regulation and internalizing and externalizing outcomes.

Methods. BASC internalizing and externalizing symptoms, executive-function tabletop tasks, and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA).

Results. Findings indicated a nuanced relationship among psychopathology risk, self-regulatory abilities, cognitive control, and physiological variability during different forms of executive-function challenge.

SRCD 2021 · VIRTUAL

Associations Between Perceived Family Resources and Cortical Morphology in Young Children With Varying SES

Methods. Household information including family size and income-to-needs ratio, Family Resource Scale measures, and MRI.

ISDP 2020 · VIRTUAL

Links Between Maternal Distress, Brain Function, and Working Memory in Early Childhood

Hypothesis. We hypothesized that maternal depression and anxiety were associated with child brain function in the context of working memory.

Methods. Maternal depression and anxiety (BDI, STAI), child executive functioning (BRIEF), visuospatial working-memory task, and fNIRS.

Results. Young children exposed to greater maternal depression and anxiety exhibited lower brain activation in prefrontal regions. Variability in lateral prefrontal cortex activation was associated with risk for poorer executive functioning in early childhood.