Neuroimaging and Emotional Development in the Pediatric Population: Understanding the Link Between the Brain, Emotions, and Behavior

Abstract

Neuroimaging has emerged as an innovative and essential tool for understanding the intricate relationship between brain development, emotions, and behavior. Investigating the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this interaction during the critical phase of brain maturation is crucial for promoting individual psychological well-being and mitigating the profound impact of mood disorders during childhood. This narrative scoping review synthesizes current pediatric neuroimaging evidence, filling a gap in the literature by integrating structural, functional, and emerging modalities, to provide clear translational pathways for clinical and behavioral observations. The contribution of major neuroimaging techniques, including fMRI, PET, DTI, and sMRI, is analyzed, emphasizing their ability to detect structural and functional alterations associated with mood disorders, enabling early diagnosis and personalized therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, the potential of these technologies to monitor the effects of psychotherapy is explored, demonstrating how such interventions can modulate neural circuits and enhance emotional processing. Despite significant advancements and growing interest, challenges remain, including the complexity of data interpretation, technological limitations, and ethical considerations related to the use of these interventions in pediatric populations. This review synthesizes the most recent scientific evidence, underscoring the potential of neuroimaging to improve diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic outcomes, while outlining future research directions aimed at enhancing interventions for children and adolescents with mood disorders.

Keywords: adolescents; behavior; children; emotions; mood; neuroimaging.

Figure 1

Brain regions involved in the regulation of emotions and behaviors. Note: PFC: prefrontal cortex; DLPCF: dorsolateral PFC; VMPCF: ventromedial PFC; OFC: orbitofrontal cortex; ACC: anterior cingulate cortex.

Figure 2

Effect of emotional experiences on neuroplasticity.

Figure 3

Example of task-based pediatric fMRI activation map: (A) Pediatric fMRI activation map overlaid on pediatric template; white box indicates amygdala ROI (Region of Interest). (B) Zoomed-in view of amygdala ROI. (C) Scatterplot of mean amygdala activation vs. SCARED (Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders) anxiety scores.