# Do dimensions of adversity differentially predict neural development and psychopathology in young children?

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2020 · $751,115

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Early adversity profoundly affects diverse aspects of child development, including brain development,
physiological reactivity to stress, and long-term risk for mental illness. Most models of these effects focus on
the number rather than character of adverse childhood experiences. The current proposal tests a novel
conceptual model focused on the type of exposure, which differentiates two primary dimensions of experience
underlying multiple forms of adversity: deprivation and threat. Deprivation involves a lack of enriching and
species expectant cognitive and social inputs (e.g., neglect). Threat involves actual or perceived danger to the
physical integrity of the child (e.g., exposure to violence).
 Here we test the hypothesis that deprivation and threat increase risk for psychopathology through
separable neurobiological pathways. We identify these pathways using basic animal and human neuroscience
and present them as compliments to existing models. The proposed project will examine the impact of
deprivation and threat on the development of neural networks in Cognitive Control Systems and Negative
Valance Systems. We predict that early deprivation exposure results in reduced cognitive control, and
disruptions in the neural systems supporting cognitive control. Early threat exposure, in contrast, results in
disrupted fear learning and alterations in fear circuitry. The current proposal extends our previous work to
include longitudinal prediction of psychopathology during middle childhood and in depth evaluation of the
proposed neurodevelopmental mechanisms.
 It is widely hypothesized that adversity primarily influences neural development during early childhood,
yet these associations are most often studied in adolescence and adulthood. Here we propose investigating
early adversity exposure in young children aged 4-7 years when these systems are undergoing peak
development. To assess deprivation and threat in young children we will use in-depth home assessments
including observational and parent-report measures. All children will complete structural MRI and functional
neuroimaging using EEG and fMRI. The PI has extensive experience collecting such measures from children
in this age range and this work follows directly from her recently completed K01 award. Understanding
neurodevelopmental processes linking adversity to psychopathology will open up new pathways to prevention
and intervention. The proposed research would directly address Objectives 1 and 2 of the NIMH strategic plan.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9918477
- **Project number:** 5R01MH115004-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Margaret Ann Sheridan
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $751,115
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-01 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9918477

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9918477, Do dimensions of adversity differentially predict neural development and psychopathology in young children? (5R01MH115004-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9918477. Licensed CC0.

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