Research Overview of the application of fMRI in Psychiatric Disorders in Children and Adolescents

This review comprehensively examines the advancements in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) applications for studying psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. Specifically, fMRI-neurofeedback targeting the right inferior frontal cortex (rIFC) has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing cognitive control among children with ADHD by strengthening inhibitory brain activity. Systematic reviews have identified reliable neuroimaging indicators in high-risk groups for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, particularly in the fronto-temporal and limbic regions, facilitating early detection and intervention. Resting-state fMRI studies have emphasized the critical need for motion artifact correction to accurately characterize the neural foundations of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and revealed significant alterations in functional connectivity among adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD). Comprehensive reviews on brain connectivity in healthy youth underscore the necessity for further investigation into the neural mechanisms underlying ADHD and similar disorders. Additionally, studies on cognitive suppression deficits in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and fear processing in adolescents exposed to abuse have provided valuable insights into the enduring impacts of these conditions on neural function. Research on fear extinction has further clarified developmental variations in fear regulation between adolescents and adults. Collectively, these findings highlight the essential contribution of fMRI in deciphering the neural mechanisms associated with psychiatric disorders in childhood, guiding the formulation of targeted therapeutic strategies. Future investigations should emphasize longitudinal study designs, utilize larger participant groups, and incorporate multimodal data to deepen our understanding of these complex conditions.