Braintime

One of the main challenges of developmental cognitive neuroscience studies is to track changes in brain and behavior longitudinally. Within this research line we  investigated developmental changes in childhood, adolescence and emerging adulthood in three domains: cognitive control, impulse regulation and social-emotional functions.

Cognitive control is examined through changes in learning and learning strategies. Impulse regulation is investigated by means of risk taking, delay of gratification and impulsive aggression. Social-emotional development is examined by our focus on reward processing and prosocial behavior. All functions are examined in relation to structural brain development (gray matter density and white matter tracts) and the role of gonadal hormones. Using multi-level models of change, we are testing changes in developmental trajectories over time. In addition, we test how brain structure and function predict future academic and social outcomes.

This project is supported by an Innovative Ideas Grant from the European Research Council (ERC), awarded to Eveline Crone, and a VENI grant from the Dutch Research Council (NWO), awarded to Jiska Peper.

Our collaborators: Barbara Braams (VU University), Neeltje Blankenstein (VUMC), Lisa Schreuders (Tilburg University).