How early adversity affects brain responses to social feedback in adolescents
Official title: Neural sensitivity to social feedback following adversity: Implications for adolescent mental health
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10885931 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $74,284 |
| NIH project number | 5F32MH132259-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10885931 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who have experienced early childhood adversity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced any form of early adversity may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Davis, Megan — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Davis, Megan
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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.