Abstract
Background
Covariation among psychiatric symptoms is being actively pursued for transdiagnostic
dimensions of psychopathology with predictive utility. A superordinate dimension,
the p factor, reflects overall psychopathology burden and has support from genetic and
neuroimaging correlates. However, the neurocognitive correlates that link an elevated
p factor to maladaptive outcomes are unknown. We tested the mediating potential of
dynamic adjustments in cognitive control rooted in functional connections anchored
by the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) in a transdiagnostic pediatric sample.
Methods
A multiple mediation model tested the association between the p factor (derived by principal component analysis of Child Behavior Checklist syndrome
scales) and outcome measured with the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale-II in 89 children
ages 8 to 13 years (23 female) with a variety of primary neurodevelopmental diagnoses
who underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging during a socioaffective Stroop-like
task with eye gaze as distractor. Mediators included functional connectivity of frontoparietal-
and salience network–affiliated dACC seeds during conflict adaptation.
Results
Higher p factor scores were related to worse adaptive functioning. This effect was partially
mediated by conflict adaptation–dependent functional connectivity between the frontoparietal
network–affiliated dACC seed and the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Post hoc
follow-up indicated that the p factor was related to all Vineland Adaptive Behaviors Scale-II domains; the association
was strongest for socialization followed by daily living skills and then communication.
Mediation results remained significant for socialization only.
Conclusions
Higher psychopathology burden was associated with worse adaptive functioning in early
adolescence. This association was mediated by weaker dACC–dorsolateral prefrontal
cortex functional connectivity underlying modulation of cognitive control in response
to contextual contingencies. Our results contribute to the identification of transdiagnostic
and developmentally relevant neurocognitive endophenotypes of psychopathology.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 19, 2022
Accepted:
July 8,
2022
Received in revised form:
July 8,
2022
Received:
April 25,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
