Neuroscientist Dr. M. Catalina “Cat” Camacho believes the key to understanding and preventing anxiety and depression lies in peering into the brains of young children. While playing games, watching movies, or even observing them in their homes, Camacho meticulously tracks how their brains develop and process emotions. Her research, driven by both personal experience and scientific curiosity, aims to illuminate the critical early years when mental health foundations are laid.
Camacho’s fascination with brain development began during her time studying infants using MRI technology. Witnessing the dramatic growth of children’s brains in those first few years was a pivotal moment. “It just really spoke to me that, wow, we really need to be understanding how this works,” she says. “How does all this wiring come together, and how do our experiences change it?”
This realization ignited her passion for unraveling the complexities of neurodevelopment, particularly in relation to mental health. Notably, anxiety and depression are incredibly common issues, striking both adults and children with increasing frequency. The prevalence of these conditions deeply resonated with Camacho, who now recognizes that her own mother struggled with depression during her childhood.
“The really big picture…really start early in those first eight years,” Camacho explains. “And it also happens to be the age that we know the least about.”
Early Brain Development Holds Clues to Mental Health
Focusing on preschoolers offers a unique window into this crucial developmental period. This is when children develop crucial social skills, learning to identify and express their own emotions while understanding those of others. These early emotional competencies are strong predictors of future mental well-being.
“A lot of those really early building blocks…are really strong predictors for later mental health,” Camacho emphasizes. She believes there are likely underlying neurological patterns associated with these behavioral signals, which her research seeks to uncover. Identifying these neurological markers could lead to more precise interventions tailored to children at risk for developing anxiety or depression.
Breaking Down Barriers in Brain Research
While MRI technology offers valuable insights into brain function, it presents significant limitations when studying young children. The cost and specialized infrastructure required for MRIs create geographical disparities, excluding research participants from less affluent communities.
Furthermore, the experience itself can be daunting for a three-year-old, especially those with anxiety. “Personality can bias then…who actually ends up getting studied,” Camacho acknowledges, highlighting that children who are most vulnerable may also be least likely to participate in traditional MRI studies.
This underscores the urgent need for more accessible and child-friendly neuroimaging techniques.
A New Era of Brain Imaging: Diffuse Optical Tomography
Camacho’s lab is pioneering a promising solution: diffuse optical tomography (DOT). This non-invasive technique uses light to measure blood flow changes on the brain’s surface, requiring only a simple cap worn by the child while they watch a movie. This approach eliminates the confined space and loud noises of an MRI machine, making it less intimidating for anxious children and more inclusive for diverse populations.
“It’s so much more accessible…especially for more anxious kids,” she explains enthusiastically. DOT is poised to revolutionize neuroimaging research by enabling more inclusive and nuanced studies of brain development in young children – a crucial step toward understanding and addressing future mental health challenges.
Camacho remains optimistic about the future. “I think despite all the things that we’re up against, there’s a lot to look forward to in the next 10 years,” she says. She believes advancements in technology like DOT will pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries, ultimately leading to more effective interventions and improved mental health outcomes for generations to come.
