How puberty blockers affect teens' brains and mental health
THE IMPACT OF PUBERTAL SUPPRESSION ON ADOLESCENT NEURAL AND MENTAL HEALTH TRAJECTORIES - Resubmission - 1
['FUNDING_R01'] · RESEARCH INST NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSP · NIH-11090506
This project looks at how giving puberty blockers to transgender adolescents influences their mental health and brain development over time.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | RESEARCH INST NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSP (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (COLUMBUS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11090506 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If I'm a transgender teen or a parent, this project follows young people who start or are on puberty suppression (GnRHa) and tracks their emotional health and brain function across several years. The team collects self- and parent-reported mental health measures plus standardized tests and brain imaging to study systems involved in emotion control, social thinking, and reward. Researchers compare changes over time to understand whether stopping or delaying puberty helps or alters normal brain maturation. The goal is to provide clearer information for families and clinicians making decisions about puberty suppression.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Transgender adolescents who are considering or currently receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (puberty blockers), typically in early to mid-adolescence, are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Prepubertal children not receiving gender-related medical care, adults, or youth who are not using or considering GnRHa treatment would not directly benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Results could clarify whether puberty blockers improve mental health and help guide safer, evidence-based care for transgender adolescents.
How similar studies have performed: Smaller and short-term studies have reported mental health improvements after puberty suppression, but long-term effects on adolescent brain development remain understudied.
Where this research is happening
COLUMBUS, UNITED STATES
- RESEARCH INST NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSP — COLUMBUS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: NELSON, ERIC E — RESEARCH INST NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSP
- Study coordinator: NELSON, ERIC E
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.