Exploring how brain activity and smartphone data can help understand anxiety and depression.
Official title: Using Functional Neuroimaging and Smartphone Digital Phenotyping to Understand the Emergence of Internalizing Illness
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-10856906 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our brains handle feelings of anxiety and depression by tracking how young adults respond to scary and safe situations, using brain scans and smartphone check-ins to better understand the connection between their daily experiences and their mental health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 5F31MH132280-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10856906 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young adults aged 21 and under who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing anxiety or depression or are outside the age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex mechanisms behind anxiety and depression, particularly how the brain processes threats and safety signals. By using functional neuroimaging and smartphone technology, researchers will track emotional responses and daily experiences over time in a diverse group of young adults. Participants will undergo brain scans while engaging in tasks designed to measure their reactions to potential threats and safety cues. This innovative approach aims to uncover the links between brain activity, life stressors, and the development of internalizing illnesses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for anxiety and depression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using neuroimaging and digital tools to understand mental health conditions, suggesting this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grogans, Shannon — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Grogans, Shannon
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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.