Purpose of the study

The INDIE study seeks to understand how the neurobiological, cognitive, and emotional maturation of young people is influenced by the marked and volatile changes in physiology that ignite with puberty. This will help develop strategies about how to help young people thrive during this important developmental period, and how to better support those at risk of psychopathology.

Previous research has shown that hormone changes during the teenage years are associated with changes in the structure, organisation, and function of the brain. At the same time, young people experience many developmentally important changes, such as increased lability in mood, age-specific changes in sleep quality and sleep physiology, and challenges in regulating emotion. However, we do not yet understand the mechanisms that link the changes in hormone and brain physiology with the behavioural, cognitive, and emotional profile of adolescence. For example, we don’t understand how the very prominent fluctuations in physiology (for example during the menstrual cycle) may be driving maturation in this age range.

The INDIE study uses brain imaging and measures of physiology, mood, sleep, cognition, and physical activity, to synthesise a detailed picture of the interplay between experience, physiology, and development. We work with young people and their parents and carers, as well as with teachers and other educators, clinicians and mental health practitioners. Together we design, interprete, and make use of our research.