Helping teens make better choices to avoid alcohol and drug problems
Improving Decision Making to Prevent Substance Misuse among Adolescents
This project tries a computer-based working memory training program for teens—especially those from poorer neighborhoods—to help them make less impulsive choices and lower the chance of starting or increasing alcohol and drug use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11287166 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would use a computer-based working memory training program that aims to strengthen the mental skills used in decision making. Researchers will look at whether the training reduces a tendency to pick immediate rewards over larger later rewards (called delay discounting). The work focuses on adolescents who experienced early life adversity or live in disadvantaged neighborhoods and who face higher risk of substance use. The team aims to make the training practical to deliver in community settings so more teens can access it.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents who have experienced early adversity or live in poorer neighborhoods and who are at risk of starting or escalating substance use.
Not a fit: Teens with long-standing, severe substance use disorders or those for whom computer-based cognitive training is not appropriate may not receive benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help teens make less impulsive decisions and lower their risk of developing or worsening alcohol and drug problems.
How similar studies have performed: Early pilot work and some recent studies suggest working memory training can change decision-making measures like delay discounting, but evidence for preventing teen substance use is still limited.
Where this research is happening
Detroit, United States
- Wayne State University — Detroit, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Felton, Julia W — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Felton, Julia W
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 below.