# Neonatal Functional Connectivity Associated with Callous-Unemotional Behaviors in Preschoolers

> **NIH NIH F30** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $31,970

## Abstract

Project Summary
Children with Callous-Unemotional (CU) traits, which are defined by impairments in empathy, prosociality, and
guilt, represent a uniquely at-risk subset of children with conduct disorder. These children have worse prognoses
and response to treatments than children with conduct disorder alone. As a result, many of them suffer from poor
educational achievement, substance use disorders, and antisocial behaviors. Genetic and environmental factors
both affect the development of CU traits, which can occur as early as age 3 years. Twin studies place the
heritability of CU traits around 58-81%, with the most implicated genes coding for neurotransmitter receptor
variants. Due to the potential genetic effect on brain development, prior studies in adolescents have investigated
and found alterations in emotion processing and emotion regulation areas of the brain. However, it is unknown
whether these brain changes precede the early development of CU traits or occur later as a result of the
pathology.
To address this gap, we will leverage a unique, prospective, longitudinal cohort of 385 mother-infant dyads
(recruited through R01 MH113883) that includes state-of-the-art neonatal neuroimaging, parental measures of
CU traits (added by the applicant), and measures of offspring CU traits at age 3 years (added by the applicant).
We hypothesize that altered functional brain connectivity in the newborn period, which occurs prior to postnatal
environmental exposures, will mediate the heritable link between parent’s and children’s CU traits. To test this
hypothesis, we plan to link CU traits in both mothers and fathers to CU traits in their children at age 3 years.
Second, we will explore the relationship between neonatal functional connectivity in emotion processing and
emotion regulation regions and CU traits at age 3 years. Finally, we will examine the role of neonatal functional
connectivity in mediating heritable relationships between parent and children CU traits.
Critically, this proposed project builds upon the candidate’s strong background and experience in neuroimaging
analyses and behavioral assessments, enabling development of new skills across the domains of quantitative
methods and atypical child development. Finally, not only will this project improve the understanding of aberrant
brain development underlying early CU traits, but it will also provide the necessary background for the candidate
to become a highly successful academic physician-scientist investigating the biological underpinnings of CU
traits and treating patients with externalizing disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10312496
- **Project number:** 1F30HD104313-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** REBECCA GAIL BRENNER BRADY
- **Activity code:** F30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $31,970
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10312496

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10312496, Neonatal Functional Connectivity Associated with Callous-Unemotional Behaviors in Preschoolers (1F30HD104313-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10312496. Licensed CC0.

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