Phone +64 3 479 5019
Email sandhya.ramrakha@otago.ac.nz
Sandhya is the Research manager for the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study. Her role includes research administrative support to the Director and to the Dunedin Study Theme leaders, as well as the management of the assessment phases of the Dunedin Study. She has previously worked as a clinical psychologist in the New South Wales Department of Corrective Services in Australia.
Research Interests
Sandhya's PhD used Dunedin Study data to examine the links between mental and sexual health, with specific reference to risky sexual behaviour. Her current research interest involves examining the mental health and psychosocial correlates and consequences of skin conditions.
Publications
Reuben, A., Milne, B., Shah, D., Brennan, G., Pearson, A. L., Richmond-Rakerd, L. S., … Mani, R., Ramrakha, S., Theodore, M., Caspi, A., & Moffitt, T. E. (2026). Longer residence in disadvantaged neighborhoods predicts both a syndrome of despair and deaths of despair: Complementary evidence from nationwide register and birth-cohort studies. Clinical Psychological Science. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/21677026261425570 Journal - Research Article
Barrett-Young, A., Cawston, E. E., Ryan, B., Abraham, W. C., Ambler, A., Anderson, T., Cheyne, K., Goodin, E., Hogan, S., … Ireland, D., … Kokaua, J., Melzer, T. R., Ramrakha, S., … Poulton, R., & Theodore, R. (2026). Plasma pTau181 is associated with subjective cognitive concerns but not objective cognitive decline or structural brain integrity measures in midlife. GeroScience. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s11357-026-02282-z Journal - Research Article
Islam, S., Jaffee, S. R., Belsky, J., Hancox, R. J., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., & Wertz, J. (2026). Social mobility and parenting: Testing associations in a prospective longitudinal cohort study. Child Development. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/chidev/aacaf050 Journal - Research Article
Bourassa, K. J., Moffitt, T. E., Arseneault, L., Barrett-Young, A., Danese, A., Garrett, M. E., … Poulton, R. G., Ramrakha, S., … Theodore, R. F., … Rasmussen, L. J. H. (2026). PTSD and suPAR: A multicohort investigation of chronic inflammation. Brain, Behavior & Immunity, 131, 106159. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2025.106159 Journal - Research Article
Ruiz, B., Broadbent, J., Thomson, W. M., Ramrakha, S., & Boden, J. (2025). A modified model of child oral health. Journal of Dental Research, 104(B), 1911. [Abstract] Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
2026
Journal - Research Article
Reuben, A., Milne, B., Shah, D., Brennan, G., Pearson, A. L., Richmond-Rakerd, L. S., … Mani, R., Ramrakha, S., Theodore, M., Caspi, A., & Moffitt, T. E. (2026). Longer residence in disadvantaged neighborhoods predicts both a syndrome of despair and deaths of despair: Complementary evidence from nationwide register and birth-cohort studies. Clinical Psychological Science. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/21677026261425570
Barrett-Young, A., Cawston, E. E., Ryan, B., Abraham, W. C., Ambler, A., Anderson, T., Cheyne, K., Goodin, E., Hogan, S., … Ireland, D., … Kokaua, J., Melzer, T. R., Ramrakha, S., … Poulton, R., & Theodore, R. (2026). Plasma pTau181 is associated with subjective cognitive concerns but not objective cognitive decline or structural brain integrity measures in midlife. GeroScience. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s11357-026-02282-z
Islam, S., Jaffee, S. R., Belsky, J., Hancox, R. J., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., & Wertz, J. (2026). Social mobility and parenting: Testing associations in a prospective longitudinal cohort study. Child Development. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/chidev/aacaf050
Bourassa, K. J., Moffitt, T. E., Arseneault, L., Barrett-Young, A., Danese, A., Garrett, M. E., … Poulton, R. G., Ramrakha, S., … Theodore, R. F., … Rasmussen, L. J. H. (2026). PTSD and suPAR: A multicohort investigation of chronic inflammation. Brain, Behavior & Immunity, 131, 106159. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2025.106159
2025
Journal - Research Article
Goldman-Pham, R., Alter, M. P., Bao, R., Collins, S. E., Debban, C. L., Allinson, J. P., Ambler, A. P., … Moffitt, T. E., … Ramrakha, S., … Theodore, R., … Hancox, R. J., & Smith, B. M. (2025). Quantifying the impact of early life growth adversity on later life health. Communications Medicine. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1038/s43856-025-01245-3
Whitman, E. T., Elliott, M. L., Knodt, A. R., Abraham, W. C., Anderson, T. J., Cutfield, N. J., Hogan, S., Ireland, D., Melzer, T. R., Ramrakha, S., … Theodore, R., … Caspi, A., Moffitt, T. E., & Hariri, A. R. (2025). DunedinPACNI estimates the longitudinal Pace of Aging from a single brain image to track health and disease. Nature Aging, 5, 1619-1636. doi: 10.1038/s43587-025-00897-z
Meier, M. H., Sugden, K., Moffitt, T. E., Williams, B. S., Bourassa, K. J., Houts, R., Ramrakha, S., Theodore, R., & Caspi, A. (2025). DNA methylation profiles of long-term cannabis users in midlife: A comprehensive evaluation of published cannabis-associated methylation markers in a representative cohort. Molecular Psychiatry. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1038/s41380-025-03042-9
Tetereva, A., Knodt, A. R., Melzer, T. R., van der Vliet, W., Gibson, B., Hariri, A. R., … Lal Khakpoor, F., … Deng, J., Ireland, D., Ramrakha, S., & Pat, N. (2025). Improving predictability, reliability, and generalizability of brain-wide associations for cognitive abilities via multimodal stacking. PNAS Nexus, 4(6), pgaf175. doi: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgaf175
Cheyne, K., Niederer, R. L., Ambler, A., Barrett-Young, A., Guiney, H., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Wilson, G. A. (2025). Persistent cannabis use and ocular health in midlife. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2025.107955
King-Hudson, T.-R. J., Pearson, A. G., Dunstan-Harrison, C., Powell, M. T., Magon, N. J., Edwards, T. S., Paton, L. N., … Kettle, A. J., Pearson, J. F., Kokaua, J., … Theodore, R., Ramrakha, S., Poulton, R., Moffitt, T. E., Ledgerwood, E. C., & Hampton, M. B. (2025). Biomarkers of oxidative and mitochondrial stress are associated with accelerated pace of aging at midlife in a birth cohort. Journals of Gerontology Series A, 80(7), glaf105. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glaf105
Barrett-Young, A., Reuben, A., Caspi, A., Cheyne, K., Ireland, D., Kokaua, J., Ramrakha, S., … Theodore, R., Wilson, G., … Moffitt, T. (2025). Measures of retinal health successfully capture risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias at midlife. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1177/13872877251321114
Ruiz, B., Broadbent, J. M., Thomson, W. M., Ramrakha, S., Boden, J., McLeod, G., Moffitt, T. E., Caspi, A., & Poulton, R. (2025). Caries trajectories from childhood to adulthood associated with mental disorders in midlife. Journal of Public Health Dentistry. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/jphd.12665
Khalifeh, L., Caspi, A., Dent, K. R., Harrington, H., Meier, M. H., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., Moffitt, T. E., & Richmond-Rakerd, L. S. (2025). Characterizing midlife-onset alcohol dependence: Implications for etiology, prevention, and healthy aging. Clinical Psychological Science, 13(2), 301-315. doi: 10.1177/21677026241260249
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Ruiz, B., Broadbent, J., Thomson, W. M., Ramrakha, S., & Boden, J. (2025). A modified model of child oral health. Journal of Dental Research, 104(B), 1911. [Abstract]
Barrett-Young, A., Cawston, E. E., Ryan, B., Abraham, W. C., Ambler, A., Anderson, T. J., Cheyne, K., Goodin, E., Hogan, S., Houts, R., Ireland, D., Knodt, A. R., Kokaua, J., Melzer, T. R., Ramrakha, S., … Wilson, P., Caspi, A., … Moffitt, T. E., Poulton, R., & Theodore, R. (2025). Characterisation of plasma phosphorylated Tau181 in a middle-aged birth cohort: Associations with cognitive decline, brain structural integrity, and accelerated ageing [Poster presentation]. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 21(Suppl. 2), e099207. doi: 10.1002/alz70856_099207
2024
Journal - Research Article
Leung, J. H., Thorne, P. R., Purdy, S. C., Cheyne, K., Steptoe, B., Ambler, A., Hogan, S., Ramrakha, S., Caspi, A., Moffitt, T. E., & Poulton, R. (2024). Trajectories of hearing from childhood to adulthood. Ear & Hearing, 45(6), 1369-1380. doi: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000001542
Reuben, A., Knodt, A. R., Ireland, D., Ramrakha, S., Specht, A. J., Caspi, A., Moffitt, T. E., & Hariri, A. R. (2024). Childhood blood-lead level predicts lower general, non-selective hippocampal subfield volumes in midlife. Ecotoxicology & Environmental Safety, 281, 116658. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116658
Whitman, E. T., Ryan, C. P., Abraham, W. C., Addae, A., Corcoran, D. L., Elliott, M. L., Hogan, S., Ireland, D., … Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … on behalf of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. (2024). A blood biomarker of the pace of aging is associated with brain structure: replication across three cohorts. Neurobiology of Aging, 136, 23-33. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2024.01.008
Brennan, G. M., Moffitt, T. E., Bourassa, K. J., Harrington, H., Hogan, S., Houts, R. M., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., & Caspi, A. (2024). The continuity of adversity: Negative emotionality links early life adversity with adult stressful life events. Clinical Psychological Science, 12(6), 1111-1126. doi: 10.1177/21677026231220337
Theadom, A., Barker-Collo, S., Parag, V., Caspi, A., Moffitt, T. E., Hogan, S., Ramrakha, S., & Poulton, R. (2024). Mild traumatic brain injury does not significantly affect midlife cognitive functioning within the general population: Findings from a prospective longitudinal birth cohort study. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 39(2), E70-E82. doi: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000875
Guiney, H., Caspi, A., Ambler, A., Belsky, J., Kokaua, J., Broadbent, J., Cheyne, K., Dickson, N., Hancox, R. J., Harrington, H., Hogan, S., Ramrakha, S., Righarts, A., Thomson, W. M., Moffitt, T. E., & Poulton, R. (2024). Childhood sexual abuse and pervasive problems across multiple life domains: Findings from a five-decade study. Development & Psychopathology, 36, 219-235. doi: 10.1017/S0954579422001146
2023
Journal - Research Article
August, R., Barrett-Young, A., Guiney, H., Hogan, S., Ramrakha, S., & Poulton, R. (2023). Who Australasians trusted during COVID-19: Lessons from the pandemic response. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 136(1587), 85-97. Retrieved from https://journal.nzma.org.nz/
Ruiz, B., Broadbent, J. M., Thomson, W. M., Ramrakha, S., Hong, C. L., & Poulton, R. (2023). Differential unmet needs and experience of restorative dental care in trajectories of dental caries experience: A birth cohort study. Caries Research, 57(4). doi: 10.1159/000530378
Ruiz, B., Broadbent, J. M., Thomson, W. M., Ramrakha, S., Moffitt, T. E., Caspi, A., & Poulton, R. (2023). Childhood caries is associated with poor health and a faster pace of aging by midlife. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 83, 381-388. doi: 10.1111/jphd.12591
Knodt, A. R., Elliott, M. L., Whitman, E. T., Winn, A., Addae, A., Ireland, D., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., Caspi, A., Moffitt, T. E., & Hariri, A. R. (2023). Test-retest reliability and predictive utility of a macroscale principal functional connectivity gradient. Human Brain Mapping, 44, 6399-6417. doi: 10.1002/hbm.26517
Brennan, G. M., Moffitt, T. E., Ambler, A., Harrington, H., Hogan, S., Houts, R. M., Mani, R., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., & Caspi, A. (2023). Tracing the origins of midlife despair: Association of psychopathology during adolescence with a syndrome of despair-related maladies at midlife. Psychological Medicine, 53, 7569-7580. doi: 10.1017/S0033291723001320
Whitman, E. T., Knodt, A. R., Elliott, M. L., Abraham, W. C., Cheyne, K., Hogan, S., Ireland, D., Keenan, R., Leung, J. H., Melzer, T. R., Poulton, R., Purdy, S., Ramrakha, S., … Hariri, A. R. (2023). Functional topography of the neocortex predicts covariation in complex cognitive and basic motor abilities. Cerebral Cortex, 33, 8218-8231. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhad109
Sugden, K., Moffitt, T. E., Arpawong, T. E., Arseneault, L., Belsky, D. W., Corcoran, D. L., … Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Caspi, A. (2023). Cross-national and cross-generational evidence that educational attainment may slow the pace of aging in European-descent individuals. Journals of Gerontology Series B, 78(8), 1375-1385. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbad056
Bourassa, K. J., Caspi, A., Brennan, G. M., Hall, K. S., Harrington, H., Houts, R., … Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Moffitt, T. E. (2023). Which types of stress are associated with accelerated biological aging? Comparing perceived stress, stressful life events, childhood adversity, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Psychosomatic Medicine, 85, 389-396. doi: 10.1097/psy.0000000000001197
Barrett-Young, A., Abraham, W. C., Cheung, C. Y., Gale, J., Hogan, S., Ireland, D., Keenan, R., … Melzer, T. R., Moffitt, T. E., Ramrakha, S., … Wilson, G. A., … Poulton, R. (2023). Associations between thinner retinal neuronal layers and suboptimal brain structural integrity in a middle-aged cohort. Eye & Brain, 15, 25-35. doi: 10.2147/EB.S402510
Slutske, W. S., Richmond-Rakerd, L. S., Piasecki, T. M., Ramrakha, S., Poulton, R., Moffitt, T. E., & Caspi, A. (2023). Disordered gambling in a longitudinal birth cohort: From childhood precursors to adult life outcomes. Psychological Medicine, 53, 5800-5808. doi: 10.1017/S0033291722003051
Poulton, R., Guiney, H., Ramrakha, S., & Moffitt, T. E. (2023). The Dunedin study after half a century: Reflections on the past, and course for the future. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 53(4), 446-465. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2022.2114508
Bourassa, K. J., Moffitt, T. E., Harrington, H., Houts, R., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Caspi, A. (2023). Childhood adversity and midlife health: Shining a light on the black box of psychosocial mechanisms. Prevention Science, 24, 817-828. doi: 10.1007/s11121-022-01431-y
Ruiz, B., Broadbent, J. M., Thomson, W. M., Ramrakha, S., Boden, J., Horwood, J., & Poulton, R. (2023). Is childhood oral health the 'canary in the coal mine' for poor adult general health? Findings from two New Zealand birth cohort studies. Community Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology, 51, 838-846. doi: 10.1111/cdoe.12772
Wilson, G. A., Cheyne, K., Ramrakha, S., Ambler, A., Tan, G. S. W., Caspi, A., … Poulton, R. (2023). Are macular drusen in midlife a marker of accelerated biological ageing? Clinical & Experimental Optometry, 106(1), 41-46. doi: 10.1080/08164622.2021.2012428
2022
Journal - Research Article
Carlisi, C. O., Moffitt, T. E., Knodt, A. R., Harrington, H., Langevin, S., Ireland, D., Melzer, T. R., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., Caspi, A., … Viding, E. (2022). Association of subcortical gray-matter volumes with life-course-persistent antisocial behavior in a population-representative longitudinal birth cohort. Development & Psychopathology, 34(5), 2012-2022. doi: 10.1017/S0954579421000377
Langevin, S., Caspi, A., Barnes, J. C., Brennan, G., Poulton, R., Purdy, S. C., Ramrakha, S., … Moffitt, T. E. (2022). Life-course persistent antisocial behavior and accelerated biological aging in a longitudinal birth cohort. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 19, 14402. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192114402
Reuben, A., Moffitt, T. E., Abraham, W. C., Ambler, A., Elliott, M. L., Hariri, A. R., … Hogan, S., … Ireland, D., … Pearson, A., Poulton, R., … Ramrakha, S., … Wilson, G., & Caspi, A. (2022). Improving risk indexes for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias for use in midlife. Brain Communications, 4(5), fcac223. doi: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac223
Meier, M. H., Caspi, A., Ambler, A., Hariri, A. R., Harrington, H., Hogan, S., … Ramrakha, S., … Poulton, R., & Moffitt, T. E. (2022). Preparedness for healthy ageing and polysubstance use in long-term cannabis users: A population-representative longitudinal study. Lancet Healthy Longevity, 3(10), 703-714. doi: 10.1016/S2666-7568(22)00201-X
Meredith-Jones, K., Haszard, J., Taylor, R., Waters, D., Hogan, S., Ramrakha, S., & Poulton, R. (2022). Is repeated childhood fracture related to areal bone density or body composition in middle age? Osteoporosis International, 33, 2369-2379. doi: 10.1007/s00198-022-06500-0
Knodt, A. R., Meier, M. H., Ambler, A., Gehred, M. Z., Harrington, H., Ireland, D., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., Caspi, A., Moffitt, T. E., & Hariri, A. R. (2022). Diminished structural brain integrity in long-term cannabis users reflects a history of polysubstance use. Biological Psychiatry, 92, 861-870. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.06.018
Ruiz, B., Broadbent, J. M., Thomson, W. M., Ramrakha, S. K., Boden, J., Horwood, L. J., & Poulton, R. (2022). Childhood caries experience in two Aotearoa New Zealand birth cohorts: Implications for research, policy and practice. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 52(3), 265-282. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2022.2061018
Moffitt, T. E., Caspi, A., Ambler, A., Bourassa, K., Harrington, H., Hogan, S., … Ramrakha, S., … Poulton, R. (2022). Deep-seated psychological histories of COVID-19 vaccine hesitance and resistance. PNAS Nexus, 1(2), pgac034. doi: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgac034
Meier, M. H., Caspi, A., Knodt, A. R., Hall, W., Ambler, A., Harrington, H., Hogan, S., … Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Moffitt, T. E. (2022). Long-term cannabis use and cognitive reserves and hippocampal volume in midlife. American Journal of Psychiatry, 1179(5), 362-373. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2021.21060664
Bourassa, K. J., Moffitt, T. E., Ambler, A., Hariri, A. R., Harrington, H., Houts, R. M., Ireland, D., Knodt, A., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., & Caspi, A. (2022). Association of treatable health conditions during adolescence with accelerated aging at midlife. JAMA Pediatrics, 176(4), 392-399. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.6417
2021
Journal - Research Article
Bourassa, K. J., Rasmussen, L. J. H., Danese, A., Eugen-Olsen, J., Harrington, H., Houts, R., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Moffitt, T. E., & Caspi, A. (2021). Linking stressful life events and chronic inflammation using suPAR (soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor). Brain, Behavior & Immunity, 97, 79-88. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.06.018
Mason, D., Ronald, A. R., Ambler, A., Caspi, A., Houts, R., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Moffitt, T. E., & Happé, F. (2021). Autistic traits are associated with faster pace of aging: Evidence from the Dunedin study at age 45. Autism Research, 14, 1684-1694. doi: 10.1002/aur.2534
Bourassa, K. J., Moffitt, T. E., Harrington, H., Houts, R., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., & Caspi, A. (2021). Lower cardiovascular reactivity is associated with more childhood adversity and poorer midlife health: Replicated findings from the Dunedin and MIDUS cohorts. Clinical Psychological Science, 9(5), 961-978. doi: 10.1177/2167702621993900
d'Arbeloff, T., Elliott, M. L., Knodt, A. R., Sison, M., Melzer, T. R., Ireland, D., Ramrakha, S., Poulton, R., Caspi, A., Moffitt, T. E., & Hariri, A. R. (2021). Midlife cardiovascular fitness is reflected in the brain's white matter. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 13, 652575. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.652575
Elliott, M. L., Caspi, A., Houts, R. M., Ambler, A., Broadbent, J. M., Hancox, R. J., … Hogan, S., Keenan, R., … Melzer, T. R., … Ramrakha, S., … Righarts, A., … Thomson, W. M., Thorne, P. R., … Wilson, G., … Poulton, R., & Moffitt, T. E. (2021). Disparities in the pace of biological aging among midlife adults of the same chronological age have implications for future frailty risk and policy. Nature Aging, 1(3), 295-308. doi: 10.1038/s43587-021-00044-4
Gehred, M. Z., Knodt, A. R., Ambler, A. P., Bourassa, K. J., Danese, A., Elliott, M. L., Hogan, S., Ireland, D., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Caspi, A. (2021). Long-term neural embedding of childhood adversity in a population-representative birth cohort followed for five decades. Biological Psychiatry, 90, 182-193. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.02.971
Wertz, J., Caspi, A., Ambler, A., Broadbent, J., Hancox, R. J., Harrington, H., Hogan, S., … Leung, J. H., Poulton, R., … Ramrakha, S., … Thorne, P. R., Wilson, G. A., & Moffitt, T. E. (2021). Association of history of psychopathology with accelerated aging at midlife. JAMA Psychiatry, 78(5), 530-539. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.4626
Baldwin, J. R., Caspi, A., Meehan, A. J., Ambler, A., Arseneault, L., Fisher, H. L., Harrington, H., … Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., Moffitt, T. E., & Danese, A. (2021). Population vs individual prediction of poor health from results of adverse childhood experiences screening. JAMA Pediatrics, 175(4), 385-393. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.5602
Richmond-Rakerd, L. S., Caspi, A., Ambler, A., d'Arbeloff, T., de Bruine, M., Elliott, M., … Hogan, S., … Ireland, D., … Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Moffitt, T. E. (2021). Childhood self-control forecasts the pace of midlife aging and preparedness for old age. PNAS, 118(3), e2010211118. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2010211118
Rasmussen, L. J. H., Caspi, A., Ambler, A., Danese, A., Elliott, M., Eugen-Olsen, J., … Harrington, H., … Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Moffitt, T. E. (2021). Association between elevated suPAR, a new biomarker of inflammation, and accelerated aging. Journals of Gerontology Series A, 76(2), 318-327. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glaa178
Romer, A. L., Elliott, M. L., Knodt, A. R., Sison, M. L., Ireland, D., Houts, R., Ramrakha, S., Poulton, R., Keenan, R., Melzer, T. R., … Hariri, A. R. (2021). Pervasively thinner neocortex as a transdiagnostic feature of general psychopathology. American Journal of Psychiatry, 178(2), 174-182. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.19090934
Elliott, M. L., Belsky, D. W., Knodt, A. R., Ireland, D., Melzer, T. R., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., Caspi, A., Moffitt, T. E., & Hariri, A. R. (2021). Brain-age in midlife is associated with accelerated biological aging and cognitive decline in a longitudinal birth cohort. Molecular Psychiatry, 26, 3829-3838. doi: 10.1038/s41380-019-0626-7
Romer, A. L., Knodt, A. R., Sison, M. L., Ireland, D., Houts, R., Ramrakha, S., Poulton, R., Keenan, R., Melzer, T. R., Moffitt, T. E., Caspi, A., & Hariri, A. R. (2021). Replicability of structural brain alterations associated with general psychopathology: Evidence from a population-representative birth cohort. Molecular Psychiatry, 26, 3839-3846. doi: 10.1038/s41380-019-0621-z
Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report
Carlisi, C. O., Moffitt, T. E., Knodt, A. R., Harrington, H., Langevin, S., Ireland, D., Melzer, T. R., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., Caspi, A., … Viding, E. (2021). Association of subcortical grey-matter volumes with life-course-persistent antisocial behavior in a population-representative longitudinal birth cohort. PsyArXiv. doi: 10.31234/osf.io/st2db
2020
Journal - Research Article
Bourassa, K. J., Caspi, A., Harrington, H., Houts, R., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., & Moffitt, T. E. (2020). Intimate partner violence and lower relationship quality are associated with faster biological aging. Psychology & Aging, 35(8), 1127-1139. doi: 10.1037/pag0000581
Reuben, A., Elliott, M. L., Abraham, W. C., Broadbent, J., Houts, R. M., Ireland, D., Knodt, A. R., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Caspi, A., & Moffitt, T. E. (2020). Association of childhood lead exposure with MRI measurements of structural brain integrity in midlife. JAMA, 324(19), 1970-1979. doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.19998
d'Arbeloff, T., Cooke, M., Knodt, A. R., Sison, M., Melzer, T. R., Ireland, D., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., Moffitt, T. E., Caspi, A., & Hariri, A. R. (2020). Is cardiovascular fitness associated with structural brain integrity in midlife? Evidence from a population-representative birth cohort study. Aging, 12(20), 20888-20914. doi: 10.18632/aging.104112
Elliott, M. L., Knodt, A. R., Ireland, D., Morrison, M. L., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Hariri, A. R. (2020). What is the test-retest reliability of common task-functional MRI measures? New empirical evidence and a meta-analysis. Psychological Science, 31(7), 792-806. doi: 10.1177/0956797620916786
Caspi, A., Houts, R. M., Ambler, A., Danese, A., Elliott, M. L., Hariri, A., … Hogan, S., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Moffitt, T. E. (2020). Longitudinal assessment of mental health disorders and comorbidities across 4 decades among participants in the Dunedin Birth Cohort Study. JAMA Network Open, 3(4), e203221. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.3221
Richmond-Rakerd, L. S., Moffitt, T. E., Arseneault, L., Belsky, D. W., Connor, J., Corcoran, D. L., … Poulton, R., … Ramrakha, S., … Caspi, A. (2020). A polygenic score for age-at-first-birth predicts disinhibition. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 61(12), 1346-1359. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.13224
Carlisi, C. O., Moffitt, T. E., Knodt, A. R., Harrington, H., Ireland, D., Melzer, T. R., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Viding, E. (2020). Associations between life-course-persistent antisocial behaviour and brain structure in a population-representative longitudinal birth cohort. Lancet Psychiatry, 7(3), 245-253. doi: 10.1016/s2215-0366(20)30002-x
Richmond-Rakerd, L. S., D'Souza, S., Andersen, S. H., Hogan, S., Houts, R. M., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Milne, B. J., & Moffitt, T. E. (2020). Clustering of health, crime and social-welfare inequality in 4 million citizens from two nations. Nature Human Behaviour, 4, 255-264. doi: 10.1038/s41562-019-0810-4
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
d'Arbeloff, T., Cooke, M., Knodt, A., Sison, M., Ramrakha, S., Keenan, R., Poulton, R., … Moffitt, T. (2020). Better cardiovascular fitness is associated with better structural brain integrity in midlife: A population-representative birth cohort study. Proceedings of the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC). ODO2-09-06. Retrieved from https://alz.confex.com/alz/20amsterdam/meetingapp.cgi/Home/0
Elliott, M., Knodt, A., Ireland, D., Morris, M., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Hariri, A. (2020). What is the test-retest reliability of common task-fMRI measures? New empirical evidence and a meta-analysis. Biological Psychiatry, 87(9, Suppl.), (pp. S132-S133). doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.02.356
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Elliott, M., Knodt, A., Ireland, D., Morris, M., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Hariri, A. (2020, June-July). What is the test-retest reliability of common task-fMRI measures? Poster session presented at the Organization for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM) 26th Annual Meeting, [Online].
2019
Journal - Research Article
d'Arbeloff, T., Elliott, M. L., Knodt, A. R., Melzer, T. R., Keenan, R., Ireland, D., Ramrakha, S., Poulton, R., Anderson, T., … Hariri, A. R. (2019). White matter hyperintensities are common in midlife and already associated with cognitive decline. Brain Communications, 1(1), fcz041. doi: 10.1093/braincomms/fcz041
Rasmussen, L. J. H., Caspi, A., Ambler, A., Broadbent, J. M., Cohen, H. J., d'Arbeloff, T., … Hancox, R. J., … Hogan, S., … Ireland, D., Knodt, A. R., Meredith-Jones, K., … Morrison, L., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Sneddon, K., Thomson, W. M., … Moffitt, T. E. (2019). Association of neurocognitive and physical function with gait speed in midlife. JAMA Network Open, 2(10), e1913123. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.13123
Wertz, J., Belsky, J., Moffitt, T. E., Belsky, D. W., Harrington, H., Avinun, R., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., & Caspi, A. (2019). Genetics of nurture: A test of the hypothesis that parents' genetics predict their observed caregiving. Developmental Psychology, 55(7), 1461-1472. doi: 10.1037/dev0000709
Elliott, M. L., Knodt, A. R., Cooke, M., Kim, M. J., Melzer, T. R., Keenan, R., Ireland, D., Ramrakha, S., Poulton, R., … Hariri, A. R. (2019). General functional connectivity: Shared features of resting-state and task fMRI drive reliable and heritable individual differences in functional brain networks. NeuroImage, 189, 516-532. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.01.068
Reuben, A., Schaefer, J. D., Moffitt, T. E., Broadbent, J., Harrington, H., Houts, R. M., Ramrakha, S., Poulton, R., & Caspi, A. (2019). Association of childhood lead exposure with adult personality traits and lifelong mental health. JAMA Psychiatry, 76(4), 418-425. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2018.4192
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Elliott, M., Knodt, A., Cooke, M., Kim, J., Melzer, T., Keenan, R., Ireland, D., Ramrakha, S., Poulton, R., … Hariri, A. (2019). General functional connectivity: Shared features of resting state and task fMRI drive reliable and heritable individual differences in functional brain networks. Biological Psychiatry, 85(10), (pp. S299). doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.03.758
d'Arbeloff, T., Elliott, M., Knodt, A., Melzer, T., Keenan, R., Ireland, D., Ramrakha, S., Poulton, R., … Hariri, A. (2019). White matter lesions are common in midlife and associated with cognitive decline. Biological Psychiatry, 85(10, Suppl.), (pp. S213). doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.03.539
2018
Journal - Research Article
Shearer, D. M., Thomson, W. M., Cameron, C. M., Ramrakha, S., Wilson, G., Wong, T. Y., Williams, M. J. A., McLean, R., Theodore, R., & Poulton, R. (2018). Periodontitis and multiple markers of cardiometabolic risk in the fourth decade: A cohort study. Community Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology, 46(6), 615-623. doi: 10.1111/cdoe.12414
Theodore, R., Taumoepeau, M., Tustin, K., Gollop, M., Unasa, C., Kokaua, J., Taylor, N., Ramrakha, S., Hunter, J., & Poulton, R. (2018). Pacific university graduates in New Zealand: What helps and hinders completion. AlterNative, 14(2), 138-146. doi: 10.1177/1177180118764126
Beckley, A. L., Caspi, A., Broadbent, J., Harrington, H., Houts, R. M., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Moffitt, T. E. (2018). Association of childhood blood lead levels with criminal offending. JAMA Pediatrics, 172(2), 166-173. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.4005
2017
Journal - Research Article
Schaefer, J. D., Scult, M. A., Caspi, A., Arseneault, L., Belsky, D. W., Hariri, A. R., … Ramrakha, S., Poulton, R., & Moffitt, T. E. (2017). Is low cognitive functioning a predictor or consequence of major depressive disorder? A test in two longitudinal birth cohorts. Development & Psychopathology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1017/s095457941700164x
Williams, M. J. A., Milne, B. J., Ambler, A., Theodore, R., Ramrakha, S., Caspi, A., Moffitt, T. E., & Poulton, R. (2017). Childhood body mass index and endothelial dysfunction evaluated by peripheral arterial tonometry in early midlife. International Journal of Obesity, 41, 1355-1360. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2017.108
Belsky, D. W., Caspi, A., Cohen, H. J., Kraus, W. E., Ramrakha, S., Poulton, R., & Moffitt, T. E. (2017). Impact of early personal-history characteristics on the pace of aging: Implications for clinical trials of therapies to slow aging and extend healthspan. Aging Cell, 16(4), 644-651. doi: 10.1111/acel.12591
Reuben, A., Caspi, A., Belsky, D. W., Broadbent, J., Harrington, H., Sugden, K., … Ramrakha, S., Poulton, R., & Moffitt, T. E. (2017). Association of childhood blood lead levels with cognitive function and socioeconomic status at age 38 years and with IQ change and socioeconomic mobility between childhood and adulthood. JAMA, 317(12), 1244-1251. doi: 10.1001/jama.2017.1712
Schaefer, J. D., Caspi, A., Belsky, D. W., Harrington, H., Houts, R., Horwood, L. J., … Ramrakha, S., Poulton, R., & Moffitt, T. E. (2017). Enduring mental health: Prevalence and prediction. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 126(2), 212-224. doi: 10.1037/abn0000232
2016
Journal - Research Article
Cerdá, M., Moffitt, T. E., Meier, M. H., Harrington, H., Houts, R., Ramrakha, S., Hogan, S., Poulton, R., & Caspi, A. (2016). Persistent cannabis dependence and alcohol dependence represent risks for midlife economic and social problems: A longitudinal cohort study. Clinical Psychological Science, 4(6), 1028-1046. doi: 10.1177/2167702616630958
Caspi, A., Houts, R. M., Belsky, D. W., Harrington, H., Hogan, S., Ramrakha, S., Poulton, R., & Moffitt, T. E. (2016). Childhood forecasting of a small segment of the population with large economic burden. Nature Human Behaviour, 1, 0005. doi: 10.1038/s41562-016-0005
Reuben, A., Moffitt, T. E., Caspi, A., Belsky, D. W., Harrington, H., Schroeder, F., Hogan, S., Ramrakha, S., Poulton, R., & Danese, A. (2016). Lest we forget: Comparing retrospective and prospective assessments of adverse childhood experiences in the prediction of adult health. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 57(10), 1103-1112. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12621
Belsky, D. W., Moffitt, T. E., Corcoran, D. L., Domingue, B., Harrington, H., Hogan, S., … Ramrakha, S., … Poulton, R., & Caspi, A. (2016). The genetics of success: How single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with educational attainment relate to life-course development. Psychological Science, 27(7), 957-972. doi: 10.1177/0956797616643070
Meier, M. H., Caspi, A., Cerdá, M., Hancox, R. J., Harrington, H., Houts, R., Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., Thomson, W. M., & Moffitt, T. E. (2016). Associations between cannabis use and physical health problems in early midlife: A longitudinal comparison of persistent cannabis vs tobacco users. JAMA Psychiatry, 73(7), 731-740. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.0637
Beckley, A. L., Caspi, A., Harrington, H., Houts, R. M., Mcgee, T. R., Morgan, N., … Ramrakha, S., Poulton, R., & Moffitt, T. E. (2016). Adult-onset offenders: Is a tailored theory warranted? Journal of Criminal Justice, 46, 64-81. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2016.03.001
Broadbent, J. M., Zeng, J., Foster Page, L. A., Baker, S. R., Ramrakha, S., & Thomson, W. M. (2016). Oral health-related beliefs, behaviors, and outcomes through the life course. Journal of Dental Research, 95(7), 808-813. doi: 10.1177/0022034516634663
Journal - Research Other
Ramrakha, S., Fergusson, D. M., Horwood, L. J., Dalgard, F., Ambler, A., Kokaua, J., Milne, B. J., & Poulton, R. (2016). Cumulative mental health consequences of acne: 23-year follow-up in a general population birth cohort study. British Journal of Dermatology, 175(15), 1079-1081. doi: 10.1111/bjd.13786
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Broadbent, J. M., Zeng, J., Foster Page, L. A., Baker, S. R., Ramrakha, S., & Thomson, W. M. (2016). Oral-health-related beliefs, behaviours and outcomes: A life-course study. Proceedings of the Sir John Walsh Research Institute Research Symposium. (pp. 11). Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/sjwri/news/otago621026
2015
Journal - Research Article
Theodore, R. F., Broadbent, J., Nagin, D., Ambler, A., Hogan, S., Ramrakha, S., … Williams, M. J. A., Harrington, H., Moffitt, T. E., … Milne, B., & Poulton, R. (2015). Childhood to early-midlife systolic blood pressure trajectories: Early-life predictors, effect modifiers, and adult cardiovascular outcomes. Hypertension, 66, 1108-1115. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.115.05831
Moffitt, T. E., Houts, R., Asherson, P., Belsky, D. W., Corcoran, D. L., Hammerle, M., Harrington, H., Hogan, S., … Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Caspi, A. (2015). Is adult ADHD a childhood-onset neurodevelopmental disorder? Evidence from a four-decade longitudinal cohort study. American Journal of Psychiatry, 172(10), 967-977. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.14101266
Broadbent, J. M., Thomson, W. M., Ramrakha, S., Moffitt, T. E., Zeng, J., Foster Page, L. A., & Poulton, R. (2015). Community water fluoridation and intelligence: Prospective study in New Zealand. American Journal of Public Health, 105(1), 72-76. doi: 10.2105/ajph.2013.301857
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Shin, H. H., Ramrakha, S., & Hancox, R. J. (2015). The overlap of hyperventilation syndrome with asthma and anxiety. New Zealand Medical Journal, 128(1427). Retrieved from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
2014
Journal - Research Article
Israel, S., Caspi, A., Belsky, D. W., Harrington, H., Hogan, S., Houts, R., Ramrakha, S., … Poulton, R., & Moffitt, T. E. (2014). Credit scores, cardiovascular disease risk, and human capital. PNAS, 111(48), 17087-17092. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1409794111
Shalev, I., Caspi, A., Ambler, A., Belsky, D. W., Chapple, S., Cohen, H. J., … Poulton, R., Ramrakha, S., … Moffitt, T. E. (2014). Perinatal complications and aging indicators by midlife. Pediatrics, 134(5), e1315-e1323. doi: 10.1542/peds.2014-1669
Caspi, A., Houts, R. M., Belsky, D. W., Goldman-Mellor, S. J., Harrington, H., Israel, S., … Ramrakha, S., … Poulton, R., & Moffitt, T. E. (2014). The p factor: One general psychopathology factor in the structure of psychiatric disorders? Clinical Psychological Science, 2(2), 119-137. doi: 10.1177/2167702613497473
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Ramrakha, S. (2014). Acne and mental health disorders in a longitudinal general population sample. Proceedings of the 15th Congress of the European Society for Dermatology and Psychiatry (ESDaP). (pp. 74). Retrieved from http://www.esdap2013.org
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Ramrakha, S. (2014, February). Acne and mental health: Is there a link and does it persist into adulthood? Verbal presentation at the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine In-House Convention, Dunedin, New Zealand.
2013
Journal - Research Article
Belsky, D. W., Caspi, A., Goldman-Mellor, S., Meier, M. H., Ramrakha, S., Poulton, R., & Moffitt, T. E. (2013). Is obesity associated with a decline in intelligence quotient during the first half of the life course? American Journal of Epidemiology, 178(9), 1461-1468. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwt135
Ramrakha, S., Paul, C., Bell, M. L., Dickson, N., Moffitt, T. E., & Caspi, A. (2013). The relationship between multiple sex partners and anxiety, depression, and substance dependence disorders: A cohort study. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 42(5), 863-872. doi: 10.1007/s10508-012-0053-1
2011
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Ramrakha, S., Paul, C., Bell, M., Dickson, N., Moffitt, T. E., & Caspi, A. (2011). The relationship between multiple sex partners and anxiety, depression and substance dependence disorders: A cohort study. Journal of Sexual Medicine. 8(Suppl. 3), (pp. 258). doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02325.x
2009
Awarded Doctoral Degree
Ramrakha, S. (2009). The link between mental health problems and sexual risk taking in a general population sample (PhD). University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. 256p.
2007
Journal - Research Article
Ramrakha, S., Bell, M. L., Paul, C., Dickson, N., Moffitt, T. E., & Caspi, A. (2007). Childhood behavior problems linked to sexual risk taking in young adulthood: A birth cohort study. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 46(10), 1272-1279.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Ramrakha, S., Paul, C., Dickson, N., Bell, M. L., Moffitt, T. E., & Caspi, A. (2007). Can sexual risk taking result in mental health problems? Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 41(Suppl. 2), (pp. A254). doi: 10.1080/00048670701724647
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Ramrakha, S., Bell, M., Paul, C., Dickson, N., Moffitt, T. E., & Caspi, A. (2007, August). Childhood behaviour problems linked to sexual risk taking in young adulthood in a birth cohort study. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Sexual Health 29th Annual Conference, Rotorua, New Zealand.
Ramrakha, S., Paul, C., Dickson, N., Bell, M., Moffitt, T., & Caspi, A. (2007, June). Childhood behaviour problems linked to sexual risk taking in young adulthood: A birth cohort study. Verbal presentation at the Children's Issues Centre Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand.
2006
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Ramrakha, S. (2006, December). Mental health and sexual risk behaviours. Verbal presentation at the Sexual Health Research Network Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.
2000
Journal - Research Article
Ramrakha, S. K., Caspi, A., Dickson, N. P., Moffitt, T. E., & Paul, C. E. (2000). Psychiatric disorders and risky sexual behaviour in young adulthood: Cross sectional study in birth cohort. British Medical Journal, 321, 263-266.