How early adversity affects brain responses to social feedback in adolescents

Neural sensitivity to social feedback following adversity: Implications for adolescent mental health

NIH-funded research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10885931

This study is looking at how tough experiences like abuse or violence can affect how teenagers, aged 12 to 20, respond to social situations and their emotions, with the goal of understanding how this might lead to mental health challenges like depression.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project IDNIH-10885931 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how early experiences of adversity, such as abuse or community violence, influence the way adolescents process social feedback. By using functional MRI, the study aims to understand the neural mechanisms that may lead to emotional challenges and mental health issues, particularly depression, in youth aged 12 to 20. The research focuses on the relationship between brain activity and emotional responses, exploring how these factors contribute to the development of mental health disorders over time. Participants will be assessed on their emotional and behavioral responses to social cues, providing insights into potential interventions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who have experienced early childhood adversity.

Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced any form of early adversity may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions for adolescents at risk of mental health disorders due to early adversity.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding the neural responses to social feedback can provide valuable insights into emotional development, suggesting that this approach may yield significant findings.

Where this research is happening

Chapel Hill, 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.
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.