Effects of mild traumatic brain injury on behavior and addiction risk in adolescents

Neurobehavioral consequences of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and addiction risk: a cotwin-control study

NIH-funded research Washington University · NIH-10933538

This study is looking at how mild traumatic brain injuries (like concussions) can affect kids and teens over time, especially in relation to the risk of developing addiction, and it’s designed for families with twins to help us understand these effects better.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWashington University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Saint Louis, United States)
Project IDNIH-10933538 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the long-term effects of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) on the developing brains of children and adolescents, particularly focusing on how these effects may increase the risk of addiction. Using a cotwin-control design, the study will follow participants over time and employ advanced neuroimaging techniques alongside neurobehavioral assessments to gather comprehensive data. By comparing twins, the research aims to isolate the impact of mTBI from other pre-existing conditions that could influence behavior. This approach seeks to provide a clearer understanding of the neurobehavioral consequences of mTBI during critical developmental periods.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who have sustained a mild traumatic brain injury.

Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced a mild traumatic brain injury or are outside the age range of 12 to 20 may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and intervention strategies for addiction in adolescents who have experienced mild traumatic brain injuries.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the neurobehavioral impacts of brain injuries, but this specific approach using cotwin-control design is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Saint Louis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired brain injury
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.