Figure 2.

Spline latent growth curve models were used to model our results. 4 (n = 15), 11 (n = 20), 21 (n = 25) and 36 (n = 24) amygdala volumes were used to construct intercept and slope latent variables. Predictor (IL-6) and the covariate (Total Brain Volume) were introduced into the model to determine the extent to which they related to the latent variables. Finally, an indirect mediation effect was tested using only the intercept of this model to see how maternal IL-6 relates to anxiety-like behavior at 11-month of age via the amygdala intercept (not slope) at “4-months-of-age”. Thick solid lines indicate that the relationship was significant (P < 0.05) while dotted lines indicate insignificant relationships. Note: ^*P < 0.05;^**P < 0.01;^***P < 0.001.