Clinical symptoms, social and role functioning, longer-term cortisol levels, and brain activation during working memory and rest in the early stages of mental health problems

Heinze, Kareen (2016). Clinical symptoms, social and role functioning, longer-term cortisol levels, and brain activation during working memory and rest in the early stages of mental health problems. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

Preview

Heinze16PhD.pdf
PDF - Redacted Version
Download (2MB)

Abstract

Mental disorders are associated with a range of neurobiological abnormalities, including hormonal disturbances and brain changes. This thesis looked at the early stages of mental disorders in general, and specifically at the ultra-high risk state for psychosis. 73 help-seeking youths aged 16-26 years were interviewed for clinical symptomatology and functioning, and followed up after 3 and 6 months. Neurobiological assessments were additionally undertaken in a subset of those clinical participants (n = 35), and healthy controls (HC, n = 35), involving hair cortisol analyses, and brain imaging during working memory processes and rest. Significantly increased hair cortisol levels, and brain hypo-activation during working memory processes and subtly decreased resting-state brain connectivity were discovered in clinical participants as compared to HC. Early mental health problems appear to have some neurobiological manifestations, however, larger cohort studies with multiple follow-up assessments over an extended time period are needed to replicate findings and to draw firm conclusions addressing clinical practice.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):