How early life stress and sleep issues affect brain development and depression risk in teens
Official title: Effects of Early Life Stress and Sleep Disturbance on Frontolimbic Development and Risk for Depression Across Adolescence
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-10936530 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stress and sleep problems in childhood can affect the way the brain develops, especially in areas that help manage emotions and stress, to see if these factors might increase the risk of depression in teenagers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 13, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $81,892 |
| NIH project number | 5F32MH135657-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10936530 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are children and adolescents aged 0-20 who have experienced early life stress or sleep disturbances.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of early life stress or sleep issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how experiences of early life stress and sleep disturbances influence the development of brain regions associated with emotional regulation and stress response in children and adolescents. By examining the structural and functional changes in the frontolimbic areas of the brain, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that link early adversity to an increased risk of major depressive disorder (MDD) during adolescence. The research will involve collecting data on sleep patterns and emotional health in young participants to better understand these relationships over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved early identification and prevention strategies for depression in adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the links between early life stress, sleep disturbances, and mental health outcomes, suggesting that this approach is both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Uy, Jessica Phuong — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Uy, Jessica Phuong
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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.