Population Neuroscience and Brain Health
Poster #401: Alexandra Aliferis
Title: Investigating the Impact of Maternal Psychopathology on Parent-Report of Child Executive Functioning
Abstract: Executive functions are a set of higher-order cognitive skills essential for carrying out everyday tasks. Previous studies have demonstrated associations between various forms of maternal psychopathology and child executive functioning, many of which use behavioral observation tasks or standardized assessments as executive functioning measures. However, less is understood about this association in the context of parent-reported outcomes. Using the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study dataset, this study investigated how maternal psychopathology (e.g. maternal depression, anxiety and attention-deficit/hyperactivity symptoms) is related to parent-report of child executive functioning. Based on the Diathesis-Stress model, it was hypothesized that higher depressive, anxiety, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity symptoms all predict lower parent-reported child executive functioning. The sample included data from 100 parents (age range: 31 to 51 years, M = 41.88, SD = 5.52) and their child (age range: 107 to 132 months, M = 121.50, SD = 7.73). A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted, which revealed no significant associations between any psychopathology symptoms and parent-reported child executive functioning (all p values being > 0.05). These null findings may simply indicate the lack of a relationship between maternal psychopathology and parent-reported child executive functioning in this sample. Alternatively, they may reflect the potential impact of parent-report bias, where parents’ perception of their child may be impacted by their psychopathological symptoms. Further research should aim to compare parent-reported measures with more objective measures to provide a comprehensive understanding of how maternal mental health conditions may impact child executive functioning.
Poster #402: Azba Shaikh
Title: Perception of emotional gait among community dwelling individuals with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury.
Abstract: Introduction: Individuals with chronic moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (m/sTBI) exhibit impairments in identifying emotions from cues such as facial expressions, voice and gestures. However, their ability to recognize emotional cues from gait remains unexplored, despite its role in safe navigation. Objective: To determine the ability of individuals with m/sTBI to identify different emotional gait patterns. Methods: Fifteen individuals with m/s TBI (42.99.8 yrs) and fifteen healthy controls (41.27.9 yrs) were immersed in a virtual metro station via a virtual reality headset. They identified the emotion of an approaching virtual pedestrian (VRP) randomly displaying either a happy, sad, angry, or neutral gait. Participants’ responses were recorded using a joystick button click, followed by a verbal report. Response time and accuracy were contrasted between groups and emotions using generalized estimating equations. Results: Responses time varied across emotion conditions (p<0.001) in a similar fashion in both groups, with sad gait being identified faster than other emotion conditions (p<0.001). Response accuracy was comparable between groups and varied across emotions (p<0.001), with significantly higher mean accuracies for angry and sad (>95%) vs. happy (>75%) and neutral (>82%) gait (p<0.001). Implications: Unlike studies focusing on acute and sub-acute population of m/sTBI populations identifying emotions from other cues, the ability to recognize emotions from gait patterns appears preserved amongst chronic, community-dwelling individuals with m/sTBI. The faster and higher recognition accuracies for approaching VRPs displaying negative valence emotions may indicate heightened awareness to potential threats. Ongoing research is exploring how emotional gait influences locomotor behavior during pedestrian interactions.
Poster #403: Camille Héguy (Trainee Flash Talks)
Title: Very preterm birth and neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy distinctly impacts early hippocampal development
Abstract: The most active period of hippocampal growth occurs during the last two trimesters of gestation and continues up until the age of 2 years. Critical early life events [ELE], such as very preterm [VPT] birth (<32 weeks gestational age [GA]) or neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy [HIE], coincide with this acute period of hippocampal growth, rendering this brain region vulnerable to developmental disruptions. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the distinct effects of two different ELE on regional hippocampal development. We recruited VPT-born, term-born with moderate to severe HIE treated with therapeutic hypothermia, and healthy control [CTL] neonates. Enrollees completed a brain MRI around term age. Total hippocampal volume and volumes of 7 subfields were extracted using Hippunfold, a validated automatic segmentation pipeline. Regional volume to total brain volume [TBV] ratios were calculated for each hippocampal region bilaterally and group differences were evaluated using ANOVA, correcting for multiple comparisons. Compared to CTL (n=12), VPT neonates (n=38) presented with smaller right CA1 (p<0.01) and CA4/DG (p<0.05) ratios, while HIE neonates (n=28) presented with smaller right CA4/DG ratios (p<0.05), and smaller TBV (p<0.05). Compared to HIE, VPT neonates presented with smaller right CA1 (p<0.05), greater left subiculum (p<0.05) and greater total right hippocampus (p<0.001) ratios. Although both VPT and HIE neonates showed increased vulnerability in the right CA4/DG region, premature extrauterine exposition had a more pronounced effect on right CA1 development at TEA compared to a term hypoxic-ischemic event. In contrast, HIE appears to negatively impact overall brain development.
Poster #404: Caroline Dakoure
Title: Designing ‘MissionControl’: An Immersive VR Simulation to Improve Pediatric MRI Experiences
Abstract: Children’s participation in neuroscience and imaging research is often limited, especially when magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is involved, due to confined spaces, loud noise, and the need for prolonged immobility. Distraction techniques informed by child psychology professionals and MRI technicians can alleviate anxiety or fear in children undergoing MRI procedures. When distraction is insufficient, sedation or anesthesia may be required, increasing costs, posing potential side effects, (e.g., adverse reactions to sedation or anesthesia), and limiting research inclusivity. Moreover, children often exhibit involuntary movements in the scanner, compromising image quality, and potentially leading to diagnostic errors or unusable research data. Our project outlines the development of MissionControl, an innovative VR simulation designed to address the challenges of pediatric MRI procedures by familiarizing children aged 4 to 12 years with the MRI environment. MissionControl aims to reduce anxiety and help children to remain still during scans. The simulation features a rocket landing mission on the moon, where children must maintain stillness to reach their destination. Head tracking is used to train stillness, while audiovisual cues and narration transform the MRI experience into an engaging adventure. To ensure content appropriateness, we replicated MRI procedures and facilities from our Cerebral Imaging Center, and consulted MRI specialists, designers, and mental health researchers during the design phase. Future directions include evaluating MissionControl’s efficacy by conducting a research study, collecting participant feedback, measuring anxiety levels, and comparing motion levels and scan success rates between our VR simulation and traditional mock-scanner methods.
Poster #405: Celine Huang
Title: Differences in Cortical Thickness in Children With ADHD, Subclinical ADHD, and Without ADHD
Abstract: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with existing research supporting delayed maturation of the cortex. ADHD diagnoses often facilitate access to treatment and untreated childhood ADHD is associated with poorer long-term social, educational, and occupational functioning outcomes. Children with subthreshold ADHD (e.g. children who do not meet symptom criteria) have been shown to experience significant cross-domain impairments while being ineligible for formal diagnosis and treatment. Cortical thickness (CT) has repeatedly been linked to ADHD symptom severity and can be used to assess brain development. This study examined the relationship between cortical thickness and subthreshold ADHD in children with the goal of identifying neurobiological patterns that could support improved diagnosis and intervention strategies for children experiencing ADHD-related challenges. Secondary data analysis was completed from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study (219 subthreshold, 234 ADHD and sex-matched controls). Multivariate analyses of variance were used to examine the difference in CT in the bilateral superior frontal gyrus (SFG) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). We found significantly thinner right ACC in male ADHD participants compared to control, and significantly thicker right ACC in female ADHD participants compared to control, with the subthreshold group showing CT that was not significantly different from the ADHD group (F(2, 681) = 4.565, p =.011, Partial Eta Squared = .013). These results continue to improve our understanding of ADHD diagnosis and the need for improving ADHD diagnostic criteria.
Poster #406: Christina Ghaleb
Title: Examining Executive Function and Parent Rating in School-Aged Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Abstract: Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects 5–9% of Canadian school-aged children. Children with ADHD exhibit deficits in executive function (EF). Furthermore, some social factors are associated to ADHD diagnosis and persistence. This project investigated group differences between the ADHD and control groups in EF performance, parent behavior scores and demographic factors. Methods: Secondary data analysis from Cardinale et al. (2024) was completed with 60 participants (21 ADHD, 39 control). The mean age was 13.65 years (SD = 2.65), with an equal sex distribution. Analyses of covariance compared groups differences on Stop Signal Task (SST) commission and omission errors, Continuous Performance Test (CPT) d-prime scores, and attention problems using the Conner’s Comprehensive Behavior Rating Scales–Parent (CBRS). Demographic factors were evaluated using descriptive statistics. Results: The ADHD group had significantly higher CBRS scores than controls (p = <.001). No significant differences in CPT d-prime scores (p = 0.186) and SST commission errors (p = 0.443) were found. The control group made more omission errors on the SST than the ADHD group (p = 0.004). Ethnic composition and parental education differed, with more White participants in the ADHD group and a higher proportion of graduate-level education in both groups. Impact: Contrary to our hypotheses, children with ADHD made less omission errors than the control group and did not differ in CPT and commission error tasks. These results solidify the importance of adopting a multidimensional approach to understanding ADHD. Therefore, our next steps include exploring cortical thickness in children with ADHD.
Poster #407: Emma Peddigrew
Title: Modifiable Factors in Immigrant Family Mental Health: Barriers, Stress, and Support
Abstract: Parental and child mental health are critical determinants of brain health and long-term well-being. Immigrant families in Canada often encounter systemic barriers that hinder access to mental health services, increasing the risk of stress-related challenges for both parents and children. This study explores the mental health needs of newcomer families, identifying modifiable factors that could support resilience and improve mental health outcomes. Two focus groups were conducted one online and one in person—with 13 immigrant parents from Quebec (n = 3) and Ontario (n = 10) all of whom arrived in Canada between 1981 and 2023. Participants had between one and four children, with most children (n = 12) falling within the 11–17 age range. Discussions highlighted key stressors, including difficulties navigating healthcare systems, cultural stigma surrounding mental health, and a lack of culturally responsive early intervention services. Parents expressed concerns about their own mental health and the cascading impact of stress on their children’s well-being. Findings suggest that early, community-based mental health interventions—such as culturally tailored programs, accessible psychoeducation, and strengthened support networks—could mitigate non-modifiable risk factors (e.g., socio-economic barriers, migration stress). Addressing parental mental health alongside child-focused interventions may enhance resilience and promote brain health in immigrant families. These results underscore the need for policies that integrate culturally responsive, community-driven approaches into mental health care frameworks.
Poster #408: Enzo Cipriani
Title: Using patients’ electronic medical record to score a validated questionnaire measuring psychotic disorders in the Signature Biobank
Abstract: Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder that radically impacts the lives of persons diagnosed with it. The Signature Biobank is a repository of administrative, biological and psychosocial information collected from patients visiting the emergency room of the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal. The Biobank aims to determine the biological and clinical signatures of psychiatric disorders. However, detailed symptom measures can burden patients’ mental load, favoring the use of shorter scales, reducing their sensitivity. We compared 69 Signature Biobank participants’ scores on the Psychotic SYmptoms RATing Scales created using two methods: based on electronic medical records and standard interview procedure. Furthermore, we evaluated the influence of medical record information’s quality on similarities of rating methods. To mitigate poor information quality, we investigated score corrections based on factorial structure identified in the literature, replacing individual scores of poor-quality items with an average of the other items in the same factor. Initially, agreement between the two methods using intraclass correlations (ICC) was 0.70 for the hallucination scale, 0.74 for the delusion scale and 0.68 for the total scale, indicating moderate/good agreement. Excluding participants with >10% lower-quality data improved agreement for the hallucination (ICC=0.84), delusion (ICC=0.87) and total (ICC=0.85) scales, indicating good/excellent agreement. Corrections based on factorial structure excluded fewer participants (n=54 vs. 35) and achieved good agreement between the two methods (ICC≈0.80). This exploratory project indicates that scoring psychiatric questionnaires from medical records can provide reliable data, enabling the use of available information and enriching subsequent analyses.
Poster #409: Gabriella Malamud
Title: Sex, Drugs and Withdrawal: A Pilot Study Investigating Sex Differences in the Cannabis Withdrawal Trajectory
Abstract: Rates of cannabis use are rising as laws worldwide become more permissive. Yet, effective treatments for cannabis use are lacking. Targeting cannabis withdrawal is a promising therapeutic approach as it is a robust predictor of relapse. Cannabis withdrawal symptoms begin 24 hours after cannabis cessation, peak within one week, and typically dissipate with 28 days of abstinence. Previous studies suggest that females experience more severe cannabis withdrawal compared to males. However, these data are derived from cross-sectional studies or employ abstinence periods of less than 28 days. Therefore, this study prospectively tracked males (n=16) and females (n=11) during 28 days of cannabis abstinence to determine whether the cannabis withdrawal trajectory differs between sexes. We included participants with a DSM-5 cannabis use disorder diagnosis or those with daily cannabis use. Participants with comorbid psychiatric diagnoses were excluded. Cannabis withdrawal was assessed at baseline and then weekly using the Marijuana Withdrawal Checklist (MWC). Cannabis abstinence was encouraged using contingency management and weekly behavioural support sessions. Urine samples were collected twice weekly and tested biochemically to confirm abstinence in most participants (n=22); for the other five participants abstinence was determined using the Timeline Followback self-report interview. Altogether, 12 (75%) males and 10 (90.9%) females maintained 28 days of abstinence. A repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant effect of time (p = 0.005) and sex (F>M, p=0.018) for MWC; their interaction was not significant. These findings suggest that females experience more severe cannabis withdrawal symptoms compared to males. This information is crucial for the development of sex-specific therapies to treat problematic cannabis use.
Poster #410: Gladi Thng
Title: Sex-specific gene regulatory dynamics across adolescent to adulthood
Abstract: Sex differences in brain-related disorders are well recognized. For example, the disparity in the prevalence of depression emerges during puberty and persists into adulthood, and studies have also identified potential sex-specific molecular evidence in depression. It is thus of interest to compare the gene regulatory dynamics from puberty to adulthood in males and females, so as to gain insights into the mechanisms underlying sex differences in diseases such as depression. To do so, we conducted a pseudo-longitudinal rodent study spanning 21 time points from puberty to adulthood (total N = 70). The study aimed to identify (1) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between sexes across time, and (2) key regulators involved in the differential targeting of the DEGs. At each timepoint, total RNA from the prelimbic cortex were extracted and sequenced in bulk. DEGs were identified using a spline model, and gene regulatory networks were constructed to identify regulators of DEGs. Mass univariate regression using the network edge weights (representative of the strength of evidence for a regulatory relationship) between the DEGs and their regulators were done to test for differential targeting between sexes. 161 DEGs including puberty-related genes (e.g., FKBP5) were identified. Hierarchical clustering of these gene trends revealed 8 distinct clusters per sex that were largely enriched for immune-related pathways. Preliminary results also suggest differential targeting in the developmental and post-pubertal period, involving hormone-related regulators such as ESR1. These results presently suggest potential sex-specific molecular mechanisms and further analysis is being done to characterize these DEGs and their regulators.
Poster #411: Inès Ait Abdelmalek
Title: Resilience Buffers PTSD Symptoms in Sexual and Ethnic Minorities Facing Intersectional Discrimination
Abstract: The present study examined how multiple forms of perceived discrimination relate to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity and whether resilience moderates these associations across four intersectional identity groups (sexual orientation: minority vs. majority; ethnicity: minority vs. White). A diverse sample (N = 271) completed validated measures of perceived discrimination (Intersectional Discrimination Index [InDI]), PTSD symptoms (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 [PCL-5]), and resilience (Adult Resilience Measure-Revised [ARM-R]). All discrimination types significantly predicted PTSD symptoms, with major discrimination (both lifetime and past-year) being the strongest predictor (p < .001). Resilience significantly moderated the effects of major discrimination (lifetime: B = .084, p < .001; past-year: B = .252, p = .001) and anticipated discrimination (B = .230, p = .021) but did not significantly buffer day-to-day discrimination, though a marginal effect was observed for past-year experiences (B = .039, p = .057). The discrimination–PTSD association was strongest among sexual minority ethnic minority individuals. Notably, sexual majority ethnic minority participants exhibited relatively strong effects for some discrimination types, despite a smaller sample size. These findings emphasize the need for resilience-based, trauma-informed interventions to reduce PTSD symptoms in intersectionally marginalized populations. Future analyses will incorporate gender minority status and employ multi-group analyses to further disentangle intersectional disparities in discrimination-related PTSD risk.
Poster #412: Isabella Di Matteo
Title: Linking Memory, Anhedonia, and Social Functioning Across Diagnostic Boundaries: A Transdiagnostic UK Biobank Study
Abstract: Memory impairments are transdiagnostic features of psychiatric disorders, contributing to negative symptoms (e.g., lack of pleasure or anhedonia) and social deficits. While previous research focused on psychosis and depression, this study takes a transdiagnostic approach to examining relationships between memory, anhedonia, and social functioning across psychiatric conditions, including disorder-specific effects. Using UK Biobank data from 8264 patients and 8264 matched controls, we examined relationships between verbal memory, anhedonia, and social visits. Patients showed impaired verbal memory and higher anhedonia versus controls. Anhedonia and social visits were weakly correlated), with significant associations in depressive, anxiety, stress/adjustment, and substance use disorders (r=[-0.09,-0.12], p<0.05). OLS regressions identified anhedonia as a significant predictor of social visits, with the strongest effect in transdiagnostic patients with psychiatric comorbidities. Across diagnostic categories, anhedonia remained a significant predictor in depressive, anxiety, bipolar, stress/adjustment, somatoform, sexual dysfunction, and substance use disorders (β =[-0.166,-0.519], p<0.05). Additionally, verbal memory predicted anhedonia (β = -0.006, p<0.05), though with weak variance explained (R² = 0.001). Finally, anhedonia mediated the relationship between verbal memory and social visits: poorer memory led to greater anhedonia (β = -0.007, p<0.05), which in turn predicted fewer social visits (β = -0.199, p<0.05). These findings provide novel transdiagnostic evidence that memory impairments and anhedonia jointly contribute to social dysfunction across psychiatric conditions, beyond psychosis and depression. The mediating role of anhedonia underscores the need for targeted interventions addressing motivational deficits to improve social outcomes. Future research should refine social functioning measures and account for diagnostic group disparities in sample size.
Poster #413: Jacqueline Berkowitz
Title: The Impact of Maternal Deprivation and Chronic Pain on Opioid Addiction Vulnerability in C57BL/6 Mice
Abstract: Chronic pain (CP) affects 22% of the population, often leading to opioid misuse, with 21%-29% of CP patients experiencing comorbid misuse (Moore et al., 2014; Vowles et al., 2015). Addiction and pain are influenced by psychological factors such as anxiety and depression, stressing the need for further investigation into risk factors like adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) (Vadivelu et al., 2017). This study examines how combined chronic neuropathic pain (NP) and maternal deprivation (MD) affect opioid addiction vulnerability in C57BL/6 mice. We introduced a novel voluntary oral self-administration paradigm, previously unused for opioid intake, to investigate dependence risk. MD was induced from postnatal day 2-9 using custom cage grids limiting dam-pup interactions (Singleton, 2023). In adulthood, mice underwent Spared Nerve Injury or sham surgery to model NP. Addiction was assessed using our novel model in operant conditioning chambers with a fixed ratio 1 schedule and morphine rewards. Mice received 35 µL of 0.5 mg/kg morphine sulfate in a 9% sweetened condensed milk vehicle. Evidence suggests MD may upregulate 𝜅-opioid receptors in the striatum, a region involved in stress and reward processing, potentially increasing addiction vulnerability (Singleton, 2023). We hypothesized that MD combined with CP would increase opioid self-administration during morphine acquisition compared to control (non-MD) mice. As expected, MD mice acquired morphine self-administration faster than controls, while pain had no effect. These findings emphasize the impact of early-life stress on opioid addiction risk in CP populations, informing prescribing practices for individuals with ACEs and chronic pain.
Poster #414: Jana F. Totzek
Title: Anchoring Biological Subtypes in Clinical Staging: From Hippocampus to Functioning in Psychosis
Abstract: Clinical staging models of psychosis are typically anchored in illness presentation, yet it remains open how data-driven approaches reflect and complement these proposed stages. The machine-learning algorithm Subtype and Stage Inference (SuStaIn) identifies separate patient groups with distinct progression patterns over time. We investigated a multiscale model of psychosis (from hippocampal volume to cognition, symptoms and functioning) across clinical stages, by anchoring the data-driven inference of machine-learning in clinical stages. We sampled across two cross-sectional datasets, including 29 familial high-risk (FHR), 38 clinical high-risk (CHR), 54 first episode (FEP), and 108 multi-episode psychosis (MEP) patients, and 161 non-clinical controls. Patients’ hippocampal volumes, cognition, symptoms and functioning were used as input markers for the SuStaIn analysis. SuStaIn identified a normal appearing subtype (n=117), characterized by no significant deviation from controls, and a homogeneous progression pattern with a set of data-driven stages (n=112) scoring poorer on all variables (p’s < .001), and progressing from reduced cognition towards reduced hippocampal volume, increased negative symptoms and poorer functioning, and higher positive symptoms. FHR and CHR showed a tendency to be sorted into earlier data-driven stages, and FEP and MEP into later data-driven stages, although Fisher’s exact test was not significant (p = .521). These findings allow for a first merging of clinical staging models and machine-learning approaches by anchoring data-driven predictions in clinical presentation. Combining both approaches provides our multiscale model with enhanced clinical utility, while paving the way toward precision psychiatry and establishing the hippocampus as a potential target for preventive strategies.
Poster #415: Joseph Farrugia
Title: Does Cannabis Co-use Influence the Rate of Nicotine Metabolism in People with Regular Tobacco Use?
Abstract: Background: Tobacco and cannabis are widely used addictive substances, and their co-use is common and linked to more problematic smoking behaviors. Nicotine is the psychoactive ingredient in tobacco and its metabolism influences smoking behaviour, such that faster metabolism predicts increased nicotine dependence and lower cessation rates. The ratio of trans 3’-hydroxycotinine to cotinine nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR) is a valid biomarker of the rate of nicotine metabolism, with higher NMR indicating faster metabolism. Given that cannabis contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, which inhibit CYP2A6, the primary enzyme responsible for nicotine metabolism, it would be expected that TC has lower NMR than TO. Yet, two studies examining this relationship found no association, however, one study failed to control for confounding variables and the other was conducted in light smokers. Using baseline data from a multi-site, double-blind tobacco cessation trial, we examined whether cannabis co-use affects NMR in individuals smoking ≥10 cigarettes/day, matching TC to TO by age and sex. Methods: Tobacco-using participants were parsed according to their cannabis use status determined by a cannabis-positive urine toxicology (N=1226) and NMR was compared between TC (n=203) and TO (n=201), controlling for site, race, and alcohol use. Results: We found that TC (M=0.32, SD=0.2) had lower NMR than TO (M=0.35, SD=0.2), F1,399 = 4.76, p=0.030. Conclusions: Cannabis co-use is associated with lower NMR and thus slower nicotine clearance. Future research should determine if these findings replicate in people with problematic cannabis use and in tandem, explore other mechanisms underlying poorer clinical outcomes in TC.
Poster #416: Malka Hershon
Title: Investigating the Associations between Feeding Methods and Sleep during Infancy and Early Childhood
Abstract: Background: The World Health Organization recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life. Breastfeeding is known to influence infant sleep; however the existing literature was contradictory and methodologically limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the association between feeding method (breastfeeding versus non-breastfeeding) at 6 and 12 months and infant sleep from 6-36 months. Methods: Data from 444 mother-infant dyads from were used from the Maternal Adversity, Vulnerability and Neurodevelopment cohort. Using maternal retrospective reports between 3-24 months, infants were categorized as being breastfed or not at 6 and 12 months. Maternally reported infant sleep variables (nocturnal sleep duration, longest period of consecutive sleep, and total sleep over 24 hours) were collected between 6-36 months. Generalized estimating equations were computed to compare sleep variables by feeding method, with maternal depressive symptoms, socioeconomic status, and sleeping arrangement as covariates. Results: Breastfeeding at 6 and 12 months was associated with shorter periods of consecutive sleep, only at 6 and 12 months (p < 0.05). No significant associations were found between feeding status at 6 and 12 months and nocturnal sleep duration or total sleep over 24 hours 6–36 months (p > 0.05). Conclusion: This research only points to breastfeeding being implicated in infant sleep fragmentation during early infancy, but not with total sleep duration (nocturnally or over 24 hours). Importantly, the findings highlight that breastfeeding is not associated with sleep fragmentation in later infancy and early toddlerhood.
Poster #417: Margaux Bouillard
Title: Navigating Parenthood in a New Country: How Immigrant Parents Adjust to Support Their Children’s Emotional Development
Abstract: Parenting practices differ globally and are important in shaping children’s psychosocial development (Zhu et al., 2024). When moving to a new country, newcomer parents face unique difficulties; they lose their social and community networks that once reinforced their parenting values, beliefs, and strategies and are introduced to a new culture that often questions these orientations (Ochocka & Janzen, 2008). This cultural shift can create tension in the parent-child relationship, as children may perceive their parent’s practices as misaligned with those of their new environment (He et al., 2021). Such strain in the parent-child relationship has been linked to adverse effects on children’s emotional development (Frosch et al., 2021). We conducted two focus groups (one online and one in person) with 13 participants from Quebec (n = 3) and Ontario (n = 10). The participants were immigrant mothers who arrived in Canada between 1981 and 2023. Most participants had children aged 11 to 17, and most were married/common law. A major challenge reported by the participants was the shift in disciplinary practices. Some parents expressed frustration with their child’s response to their parental discipline practices. Others were concerned that their traditional parenting norms might impact their children’s social experiences in Canada or contribute to anxiety. Due to cultural stressors, parents voiced a strong need for additional resources and guidance to support their children’s emotional development as they navigate cultural adaptation. Researchers and policymakers should consider including voices of immigrant parents when developing parent and child mental health programs for immigrant families.
Poster #418: Mathilde Argote
Title: The Association Between Prenatal Cannabis and Tobacco Co-exposure and Cognition in Childhood: Insights from the ABCD Study
Abstract: Background: With the recent rise in cannabis and tobacco co-use in the general population and among pregnant women, there is growing concerns about its potential impact on childhood neurodevelopment. This study investigates how prenatal co-exposure to both substances is associated with cognitive performance in children compared to exposure to either substance alone and unexposed children. Methods: Data on children between 9-11 years old (N=9873) were drawn from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. Children were parsed into four groups according to their prenatal substance exposure: 1) Cannabis-only exposure (CO, n=213); 2) Tobacco-only exposure (TO, n=923); 3) Co-exposure (CT, n=258), and 4) No substance exposure (CTL, n=8479). Fluid and crystallized cognition composite scores were derived from the National Institute of Health Cognition Battery. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate cognitive differences between CT and CO, TO, and CTL groups, adjusting for relevant covariates. Results: CT had lower fluid composite scores than CO (β=1.94, SE=0.95, p=0.04), CTL (β=1.42, SE=0.67, p=0.03) while the comparison between CT and TO was at trend level (β=1.33, SE=0.73, p=0.07). Crystallized composite scores did not differ between CT and other groups. Conclusions: Results suggest a possible synergistic effect of prenatal cannabis and tobacco exposure on fluid intelligence, a domain reflecting reasoning. In contrast, crystallized intelligence, representing acquired knowledge, showed no significant difference between groups. Future research should investigate the mechanisms underlying the association between prenatal co-exposure and fluid cognition given that these deficits may result in long-term consequences on child education and overall growth.
Poster #419: Mira Saad
Title: A Meta-Analysis: The Longitudinal association between Childhood Cognitive Skills and Adolescent Emotional Problems
Abstract: Background: Poor childhood cognitive abilities have been associated with emotional problems (EP), such as persistent worries and/or unhappiness, later in life. Despite its importance for building good mental health and social capital, early cognitive abilities are seldom explored as predictors of future emotional health – especially in low/middle-income countries. We examined whether childhood cognitive abilities, specifically intelligence, were linked to EP in adolescents from Ethiopia, Peru, Vietnam, and India. Methods: We analyzed the Young Lives longitudinal study involving ~4000 children. Measures of verbal intelligence include the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) and writing and reading tests. The Ravens Progressive Matrices (RCPM), mathematics tests, reading and writing tests were collected at 8 years, and the PPVT was measured at 12 years. EP were self-reported using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire’s at age 15. We used a meta-analysis to investigate the associations between cognitive skills and EP across all 4 countries, adjusting for covariates, such as socioeconomic status, stunting, and school enrollment. Results: Random-effects analyses yielded the following overall beta coefficients: PPVT = -0.12 (95% CI: -0.16 to -0.07), RCMP = -0.04 (95% CI: -0.17 to -0.09), mathematics = -0.13 (95% CI: -0.17 to -0.09), writing = 0.05 (95% CI: -0.09 to -0.02), reading = -0.06 (95% CI: -0.12 to 0.00). All models produced a small negative beta value, suggesting small but statistically significant negative associations between early cognitive abilities and EP. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that individuals with worse cognitive abilities experienced greater EP. More research is needed to clarify association’s contradictories.
Poster #422: Nevena Chuntova
Title: Minority Stress, Allostatic Load, and Health Behaviors in Sexual and Gender Minorities
Abstract: Sexual and gender diverse people experience high levels of minority stress, contributing to well-documented health disparities. One proposed mechanism to explain these disparities is allostatic load, a cumulative indicator of physiological dysregulation related to chronic stress. This study aims to compare allostatic load levels between cisgender heterosexual individuals and different 2S/LGBTQIA+ subgroups, as well as to examine the role of health behaviors in the relationship between stigma and allostatic load. A total of 250 participants were recruited and divided into four groups: cisgender men (n=69), cisgender women (n=94), non-binary people (n=44), and transgender people (n=43). The study involved two laboratory visits, online psychosocial questionnaires, the collection of eight saliva samples, and a blood draw. Preliminary analyses indicate that cisgender men (M = 4.99, SD = 3.07) and transgender people (M = 4.47, SD = 3.8) have higher allostatic load levels than the other groups (p < 0.001). Transgender individuals also consume significantly more alcohol than cisgender women. Additionally, transgender individuals and cisgender men have lower sleep quality than non-binary people and cisgender women. No significant differences were found regarding tobacco or drug use. In summary, this study will help identify modifiable risk and protective factors to improve the health and well-being of people in the 2S/LGBTQIA+ community.
Poster #423: Olivier Parent
Title: Gendered lifestyles as a data-driven spectrum: Associations with brain morphology and microstructure
Abstract: How each individual embodies the cultural definition of masculine and feminine gender roles and behaviors varies along a continuous, non-binary spectrum, a dynamic that has proved difficult to operationalize. The impact of gendered lifestyles on brain health remains largely unexplored. Here, we developed a framework to estimate a continuous gender spectrum as expressed through lifestyle behaviors in an unbiased, data-driven manner. Our approach consists of using 56 lifestyle variables to predict the self-reported sex of participants using a machine learning algorithm, from which classification probabilities can be extracted and used as a continuous index of gendered lifestyles (IGL), akin to biological age paradigms. We used data from the UK Biobank (n=57,612; 29,636 females; 27,976 males). We trained CatBoost models and derived out-of-fold predictions for each participant. Our algorithm showed a balanced prediction for males and females with an area under the ROC curve of 0.829. Important predictors of masculinity included a longer work week, more lifetime sexual partners, and taking naps, while important predictors of femininity included seeking help for mental distress, friendship satisfaction, and sleeplessness. Independently in males and females, a more feminine IGL was related to larger total brain volumes, larger subcortical grey matter structures, smaller ventricles, higher microstructural white matter integrity, increased regional cortical thickness, and lower regional cortical surface area. Our novel unbiased data-driven framework to operationalize gendered lifestyles revealed associations with brain morphology and microstructure, uncovering the brain health implications of gendered risk factor dynamics in a specific cultural context.
Poster #424: Pinning He
Title: A Post-Legalization Assessment of the Association between Cannabis and Nicotine/Tobacco Co-use and Mental Health Outcomes in Canadian Adolescents
Abstract: Cannabis use and nicotine-tobacco product (NTP) use rates are high among Canadian adolescents, with many engaging in co-use. As cannabis laws relax, understanding how policy changes influence co-use trends relative to single substance use trends is crucial. Using data from COMPASS, a repeated cross-sectional study in Canadian adolescents, we examined co-use, cannabis-only use, and NTP-only use trajectories from pre-legalization (2016/17) to post-legalization (2022/23). Using the 2022/23 cohort data, we examined associations between co-use and mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation) and the impact of mode of NTP administration, given the decline in tobacco smoking and the rise in electronic cigarette use. Demographics, substance use, NTP mode, and mental health data were collected annually in males and females between 14 and 19 years old. Analyses were adjusted for sex, age, province, and alcohol use. Using joinpoint models, co-use and NTP-only use increased over time, with the latter driven by electronic cigarettes; cannabis-only use declined. Two-way ANCOVAs revealed main effects for cannabis and tobacco use and interaction effects for depression. Post-hoc comparisons indicated that co-users had greater depression than NTP-only users. Among co-users, there were main effects for tobacco and e-cigarette use and interactions for depression and anxiety, such that using both tobacco and e-cigarettes was associated with greater depression and anxiety than e-cigarette-only use. Rising rates of adolescent co-use and e-cigarette use compromise mental health. Prevention strategies targeting co-users, specifically those consuming both tobacco and e-cigarettes, are critical for promoting brain health among Canadian adolescents.
Poster #425: Shima Raeesi
Title: Education is associated with vascular risk factors and cerebrovascular disease burden in racially diverse individuals on the Alzheimer’s disease spectrum
Abstract: Background Education has been shown to mitigate the risk of Alzheimer’s dementia (AD). Beyond its role in cognitive reserve, education may also influence cognitive decline by lowering vascular risk factors, which contribute to cerebrovascular issues like white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) and infarcts. Methods This study analyzed data from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC), including 42,668 participants aged 55 and older from diverse racial backgrounds: White (n=31,232), Black (n=6,676), Asian (n=3,573), and Hispanic (n=1,187). Linear mixed-effects models were employed to investigate the relationship between education and different vascular risk factors and WMHs. Age, sex, and diagnostic status (cognitively normal, mild cognitive impairment, and AD) were added as covariates in the models. Results Higher education was significantly associated with lower rates of diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and smoking in most racial groups (p<.0001). In White and Hispanic groups, strong negative associations were seen for all risk factors (p<.0001), except diastolic BP and alcohol consumption. Among Black individuals, significant relationships were observed for all risk factors (p<.0001), except for systolic and diastolic BP. In Asian individuals, education was associated with all vascular risk factors (p<.05) except BMI and diabetes. Furthermore, higher education was significantly associated with a lower WMH burden in White (p=0.03) and Black (p=0.02) individuals. Conclusion Higher education was overall negatively associated with vascular risk factors in all racial groups. Racial disparities were also found in the relationship between education and cerebrovascular disease markers, suggesting that while education is generally associated with better health outcomes, its impact varies across racial groups.
Poster #426: Sianna Williamson
Title: The Importance of Gender Roles for Social Cognition in Bipolar Disorder
Abstract: Social cognition is foundational to interpersonal relationships and overall functioning. Many individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) show deficits in social cognition, though these impairments vary widely and are poorly understood. Because of this cognitive heterogeneity, elucidating the correlates of social cognition in BD is necessary for addressing deficits. While sex and gender identity are related to social cognition in non-clinical samples, these results have rarely been replicated in BD samples. Often, no sex or gender identity-based difference is found. Alternatively, as suggested by Nash’s sex-role mediation hypothesis, gender roles may explain the heterogeneous social cognitive deficits seen in BD. Yet, the impact of gender roles on BD has not previously been considered. Working with a sample of 12 people living with BD or schizoaffective disorder, the current study examined the relationships between sex assigned at birth (SAB), gender roles and social cognition. Participants completed self-reported and clinician-rated assessments of gender, sex and social cognition. Group comparisons and correlation analyses were conducted using R. While results were not statistically significant due to sample size limitations, trends indicate that more masculine people have a social cognitive disadvantage, regardless of their SAB. Moreover, no relationship existed between SAB and social cognition. By highlighting the importance of gender roles, further research on this topic could inform treatment that improves quality of life and functional outcomes for individuals with bipolar disorder. This study also speaks to the utility of gender roles as a nuanced way of approaching gender or sex differences.
Poster #427: Stefanie Tremblay
Title: Integrating social and structural determinants of health in research on aging and Alzheimer’s disease in Canada
Abstract: Certain communities, including ethnic and cultural minorities, face higher dementia rates and worse outcomes, largely driven by structural and social determinants of health (SSDH).1,2 Despite growing recognition of their role in dementia inequities, SSDH remain inconsistently integrated into research, and Canada lacks specific guidelines for their inclusion in aging and dementia studies. This project aims to develop a recommendation framework informed by community and expert input. Co-designed with an advisory group, it includes: 1) a scoping review assessing current practice in SSDH collection in Canadian aging and dementia studies, 2) a survey in a large sample to gather the perspectives and priorities of the Canadian population, and 3) a Delphi survey to identify key SSDH indicators according to experts. Preliminary findings of our scoping review (in 4 Canadian cohorts: CLSA, CIMA-Q, PREVENT-AD, and COMPASS-ND) showed that several SSDH domains are well characterized in these studies (i.e, ethnicity and culture, social network, occupation, and language). However, we also identified areas that would warrant more in-depth characterization (i.e, gender, literacy, economic factors, and adverse experiences). Measurement inconsistencies across studies were also noted. Next steps include completing the scoping review, conducting the survey to assess public perspectives, and carrying out the Delphi study. The final guidance framework will be shared as an online toolkit to support its adoption and promote harmonization across Canadian cohorts, enabling large-scale SSDH investigations to advance dementia research and policy. 1. Lee et al. JAMA Network Open. 2022;5. 2. Adkins-Jackson et al. A&D. 2023;19.
Poster #428: YouRan Zhao
Title: The Internal Consistency and Convergent Validity of the Clinical Global Impression Scale as a Psychometric Instrument at Centre for Precision Psychiatry
Abstract: “=The Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scales were first introduced in 1976 by the National Institute of Mental Health as a brief clinician rating of illness severity (CGI-S), improvement (CGI-I), and effectiveness (CGI-E) in psychiatric medication studies. Over time, CGIs have been adapted for various clinical and research needs, but without standardization. Ratings can be influenced by language, administration context, memory distortion, and clinician biases. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the validity of CGI adaptations for individual studies. The Centre for Precision Psychiatry (CPP) evaluates these properties by analyzing the internal consistency of the three measures (CGI-S, CGI-I, and CPP adapted CGI-E) through correlation analysis, and by verifying their convergence validity with other instruments such as the Brief Psychiatry Rating Scale (BPRS) rated by the CPP team, and EuroQol rated by the participants, through regression analysis. A total of 136 participants were included. Correlations between CGI-S and CGI-E in the first three CGIs were –0.62, –0.60, and –0.62 (p<0.001). Between CGI-I and CGI-E in the second CGI, the correlation was 0.40 (p<0.001). The difference between CGI-S scores from the first and second CGI correlated with the second CGI’s CGI-I at –0.407 (p<0.001). BPRS symptoms groups of mood and thought disturbances significantly predicted CGI-S (r=0.48, p<0.001), as did total BPRS scores and the number of symptoms rated four or above (r=0.37, r=0.35, p<0.001). EuroQol scores also predicted CGI-S (r=0.39, p<0.001). In conclusion, the CPP adapted CGI demonstrates good internal consistency and convergent validity, supporting its use as a reliable clinician-rated tool.
Poster #429: Zac Yeap
Title: Cannabis and Tobacco Co-Use and its Association with Striatal Brain Morphometry: Leveraging Data from the ENIGMA Addiction Working Group
Abstract: Background: The striatum plays a central role in the pathophysiology of addiction, with altered gray matter volume (GMV) observed in affected individuals. Cannabis and tobacco are widely used addictive substances, and their daily co-use is common. Cannabis use is associated with greater striatal GMV, while tobacco use is associated with lower striatal GMV, but their combined effects on striatal GMV remain unclear. Using two MRI processing methods, we compared striatal GMV between people with daily co-use (CT), cannabis-only use (CO), tobacco-only use (TO), and no substance use (CTL). Method: We pooled T1-weighted MRI scans from 8 ENIGMA Addiction sites (N=302). Males and females, ages 18-45, were parsed into: CT, n=38; CO, n=34; TO, n=61, and CTL, n=169. Using Freesurfer, GMV in striatal subregions (nucleus accumbens, caudate nucleus, and putamen) were extracted for analysis. Second, voxel-based morphometry analysis was conducted on a striatal mask with FSL. In both analyses, we employed 2×2 ANCOVAs controlling for age, sex, intracranial volume, site, alcohol use, and daily tobacco due to CT-TO differences. Results: Using Freesurfer, a main effect of cannabis use was found in the right nucleus accumbens; this effect was replicated using FSL (ps≤0.048). Main effects of cannabis use were also found for the putamen and caudate (ps≤0.013), which was modulated by tobacco use in the right posterosuperior putamen, right central putamen, left inferior putamen, right anterior caudate, right central caudate, and left posterior caudate (ps≤0.018). Post-hoc comparisons revealed: CT = CTL > TO in the putamen and caudate (ps≤0.044); and CTL > CO (ps≤0.063) and CT > CO in the caudate (p=0.028). Conclusions: Co-use is associated with greater striatal GMV relative to each substance alone, despite cannabis-only and tobacco-only use being associated with lower striatal GMV compared to no use. Future research should identify the clinical correlates of co-use in relation to this distinct pattern of striatal morphology.
HBHL Symposium 