1-205 - Advances in Neurobiological Conceptualizations of Pediatric Irritability

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

The past 20 years has witnessed a dramatic rise in empirical interest in irritability as a transdiagnostic symptom causing significant impairment in youth. While advances have been made, clinicians and researchers still face the challenge of how to conceptualize irritability- is it a disruption of mood or emotion regulation, or is it a behavioral concern? We are further limited by assessment methods relying predominantly on parent- or self-report, rather than empirically derived behavioral assays. To develop such methods, along with targeted interventions, a more complete understanding of the neurocognitive basis of pediatric irritability is needed. This symposium brings together developmental and clinical scientists conducting cutting-edge research aimed at identifying the core mechanisms of pediatric irritability from early childhood to adolescence. Presentations focus on the importance of considering development when selecting methods and developing paradigms, rather than taking a “one size fits all” approach. Additionally, several core mechanisms are implicated such as frustration tolerance and face emotion labelling. Finally, irritability can be conceptualized as a stable trait or a phasic response to the environment; this has implications for how it is studied and understood as a clinical symptom. In summary, pediatric irritability is a multifaceted construct that is not well- understood despite its clinical impact. The research presented in this symposium is beginning to provide the necessary foundation for improved developmental and clinical conceptualizations of pediatric irritability.

Sub Unit

• Developmental Psychopathology

Chair

• Amy Krain Roy, Fordham University

Individual Presentations

• Neural Underpinnings of Irritability: fNIRS Evidence of Impaired Executive Function in Preschool Children - Presenting Author: Susan Perlman, University of Pittsburgh; Non-Presenting Author: Christina Hlutkowsky, University of Pittsburgh; Non-Presenting Author: Frank A Fishburn, University of Pittsburgh

• Behavioral Characteristics and Neural Bases of Severe Temper Outbursts as Indicators of Pediatric Irritability - Presenting Author: Melanie Silverman, Fordham University; Non-Presenting Author: Emily Hirsch, Fordham University; Non-Presenting Author: Amy Krain Roy, Fordham University

• Assessing Frustration Tolerance in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Use of Two Novel Behavioral Paradigms - Presenting Author: Karen E. Seymour, Kennedy Krieger Institute; Non-Presenting Author: Keri Shiels Rosch, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University; Non-Presenting Author: Da-Yea Song, Kennedy Krieger Institute; Non-Presenting Author: Stewart H Mostofsky, Kennedy Krieger Institute

• Neural Markers of Eye Gaze to Face Emotion in Pediatric Irritability - Presenting Author: Katharina Kircanski, Emotion and Development Branch, NIMH; Non-Presenting Author: Jillian Lee Wiggins, San Diego State University; Non-Presenting Author: Simone P Haller, NIMH; Non-Presenting Author: Samantha Perlstein, NIMH; Non-Presenting Author: Gretchen Perhamus, University at Buffalo; Non-Presenting Author: Kelsey Stiles, University of California, Los Angeles; Non-Presenting Author: Caroline Wambach, NIMH; Non-Presenting Author: Ellen Leibenluft, NIMH; Non-Presenting Author: Melissa A Brotman, NIMH