Creating a brain network map for understanding mental health in adolescents
Official title: A new reference atlas of brain networks to investigate neuropsychiatric traits in adolescents
Funded at Father Flanagan's Boys' Home · NIH-10769811 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a special brain map for kids and teens aged 8 to 17 to help us understand how their brains work during a key time in their development, which can improve our understanding of mental health issues in young people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Father Flanagan's Boys' Home NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boys Town, United States) |
| Project start | January 26, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $81,020 |
| NIH project number | 5R03MH129365-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10769811 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are typically-developing adolescents aged 8 to 17 years who may be experiencing mental health challenges.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 8 to 17 years or those with severe psychiatric disorders that do not fit the study criteria may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a reference brain atlas specifically for adolescents aged 8 to 17 years, which will help in understanding the brain's functional networks during a critical developmental period. By using advanced imaging techniques like resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI), the researchers will identify how these networks change and relate to neuropsychiatric traits. This atlas will provide a more accurate tool for studying mental health disorders in youth, as existing atlases are based on adult data, which may not be applicable to younger populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better diagnosis and treatment strategies for mental health disorders in adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been studies on adult brain atlases, this approach to creating a specific atlas for adolescents is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Father Flanagan's Boys' Home
Boys Town, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Doucet, Gaelle Eve — Father Flanagan's Boys' Home
- Study coordinator: Doucet, Gaelle Eve
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.