How trauma affects brain development in young people

Impact of Trauma on the Longitudinal Development of Cognitive Control Networks in Healthy Youth

NIH-funded research Father Flanagan's Boys' Home · NIH-11126599

This study looks at how experiencing traumatic events when you're young can affect the way your brain works, especially in areas that help with thinking and self-control, and it's aimed at helping kids and young adults aged 0-21 understand the long-term effects of trauma on their mental health.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionFather Flanagan's Boys' Home NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boys Town, United States)
Project IDNIH-11126599 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how exposure to traumatic events during childhood and adolescence impacts the development of brain networks responsible for cognitive control. Using advanced imaging techniques like magnetoencephalography (MEG), the study aims to understand the long-term effects of trauma on brain function and structure. By focusing on youth aged 0-21, the research seeks to uncover the neurophysiological changes that occur in response to trauma, which may contribute to various mental health disorders such as anxiety and ADHD.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are youth aged 0-21 who have experienced traumatic events.

Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced trauma or are outside the age range of 0-21 may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment strategies for mental health disorders in youth affected by trauma.

How similar studies have performed: While there is existing research on trauma and mental health, this study's specific focus on cognitive control networks using MEG is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Boys Town, 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 2026-06-09 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.