Reliable multimodal brain patterns predict longitudinal mental health outcomes in early adolescence

Motivation: Mental health in adolescence is an increasing concern, and early intervention of children at-risk of poor outcomes is key. Goal(s): Our goal was to identify multimodal brain patterns that predict longitudinal behavioural and mental health measures. Approach: Linked variations of cortical structure and white matter microstructure were assessed for relationships with longitudinal clinical measures. Results: Together, macro and microstructural features within emotion regulation regions reliably predicted longitudinal symptoms of anxiety and depression. Deep gray matter volume and projection fibre microstructure predicted behavioural inhibition and sensation seeking in males, with differences between pairs of twins with and without self-injurious behaviour. Impact: Our results demonstrate reliable brain patterns in childhood that predict primarily sub-clinical symptoms of anxiety and depression in a population-based sample. These findings motivate early supports and interventions for children identified at-risk of poor mental health trajectories.