Functional brain network dynamics mediate the relationship between female reproductive aging and interpersonal adversity

Petrican, Raluca ORCID: 0000-0002-1363-5553, Chopra, Sidhant, Segal, Ashlea, Fallon, Nicholas ORCID: 0000-0003-1451-6983 and Fornito, Alex (2025) Functional brain network dynamics mediate the relationship between female reproductive aging and interpersonal adversity nature mental health, 3 (1). pp. 104-123. ISSN 2731-6076, 2731-6076

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Abstract

Premature reproductive aging is linked to heightened stress sensitivity and psychological maladjustment across the life course. However, the brain dynamics underlying this relationship are poorly understood. Here, to address this issue, we analyzed multimodal data from female participants in the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (longitudinal, N = 441; aged 9–12 years) and Human Connectome-Aging (cross-sectional, N = 130; aged 36–60 years) studies. Age-specific intrinsic functional brain network dynamics mediated the link between reproductive aging and perceptions of greater interpersonal adversity. The adolescent profile overlapped areas of greater glutamatergic and dopaminergic receptor density, and the middle- aged profile was concentrated in visual, attentional and default mode networks. The two profiles showed opposite relationships with patterns of functional neural network variability and cortical atrophy observed in psychosis versus major depressive disorder. Our findings underscore the divergent patterns of brain aging linked to reproductive maturation versus senescence, which may explain developmentally specific vulnerabilities to distinct disorders.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	5202 Biological Psychology, 32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 52 Psychology, Contraception/Reproduction, Aging, Serious Mental Illness, Mental Health, Behavioral and Social Science, Basic Behavioral and Social Science, Depression, Mental Illness, Neurosciences, Brain Disorders, Women's Health, Biomedical Imaging, 2.1 Biological and endogenous factors, 1.1 Normal biological development and functioning, 2.3 Psychological, social and economic factors, Mental health, Neurological, 3 Good Health and Well Being
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	08 Jan 2025 09:19
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2026 20:02
DOI:	10.1038/s44220-024-00352-9
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3189555
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