Stress and cognition in psychosis

Childhood adversity (CA) is a major public health issue with long-lasting effects on mental health, including psychotic disorders. Research shows that CA is linked to increased symptom severity and both structural and functional brain alterations in individuals with psychosis. Exposure to adversity during critical developmental periods may disrupt brain maturation, which plays an essential role in emotional and cognitive functioning.

The diathesis-stress model helps explain why certain individuals, due to both psychological (e.g., CA) and biological (e.g., genetic) vulnerabilities, are more likely to develop psychotic disorders following adversity. Although structural and functional MRI studies have established a relationship between CA and psychosis, less is known about how CA influences functional brain connectivity in those at increased risk. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial to improving early detection and prevention of psychosis in young people.

This PhD aims to explore the relationship between CA and schizotypal symptoms among youths at elevated risk for psychosis, using data from the multi-centre longitudinal Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. Specifically, the project will investigate whether CA affects brain structure and functional connectivity, and whether these brain changes mediate the association between CA and schizotypal symptoms.

Project 1
The first project will critically review existing literature on CA and its subtypes in relation to schizotypal symptoms, cortical morphology, and brain network alterations among individuals at high risk for psychosis. This review will help identify knowledge gaps and refine hypotheses for empirical testing.

Project 2
The second project will examine associations between CA, schizotypal symptoms, cortical morphology, and brain network measures using ABCD data from participants aged 9–10 years. Schizotypal symptoms will be considered as early markers of psychosis risk, alongside related symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Structural and resting-state functional MRI data will be analysed to identify group differences between children with and without CA. Linear regression analyses will test the relationships between CA and brain measures, while mediation analyses will assess whether brain alterations explain the link between CA and schizotypal symptoms.

Project 3
The third project will extend these analyses by incorporating longitudinal data from participants assessed at ages 9–10 and again at 13–14 years. Using the same analytical approach as Project 2, this study will explore how CA-related changes in brain structure and function evolve over time and whether they contribute to the persistence or development of schizotypal symptoms.

Impact
This PhD will provide a deeper understanding of how childhood adversity shapes brain development in children and adolescents at risk for psychosis. By combining longitudinal neuroimaging and behavioural data, it will offer new insights into the neural mechanisms linking early adversity to psychotic experiences. Ultimately, the findings aim to enhance early identification and prediction strategies, contributing to improved prevention and intervention efforts for vulnerable youths.

This project is not associated with funding from the University of Birmingham. Applicants will need to obtain their own scholarship or other financial support to cover tuition fees and living costs. All interested candidates MUST contact the lead supervisor of this project by email, including a current CV and statement of interest BEFORE submitting a formal application.

References:
1. Quidé et al, (2020) PMID: 33364762
2. McLaughlin et al. (2019) PMID: 31030002
3. Heim, C. and Nemeroff, (1999) PMID: 10599479
4. Lieslehto et al (2017) PMID: 28612935
5. Pruessner et al. (2017) PMID: 27993603