Investigating how childhood hardships affect brain function and substance use risk in Puerto Rican children

A longitudinal study of Puerto Rican children and the impact of adverse childhood experiences on the development of cognitive control and risk for substance use disorders

['FUNDING_CAREER'] · NEW YORK STATE PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE DBA RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE, INC · NIH-10676127

This study is looking at how tough experiences in childhood can affect how Puerto Rican kids think and make choices, and how this might lead to problems with drugs or alcohol later on, all while helping the researcher learn more about this important topic to improve support for families in the community.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_CAREER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorNEW YORK STATE PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE DBA RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HYGIENE, INC (nih funded)
Locations1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10676127 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impact cognitive control and the risk of developing substance use disorders (SUD) among Puerto Rican children. By utilizing advanced brain imaging techniques, the study aims to analyze changes in brain function related to cognitive control as influenced by ACEs. The research will also involve training and mentorship for the principal investigator to enhance their skills in this area, ultimately contributing to better treatment outcomes for affected individuals. The study spans five years and emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues within the Puerto Rican community, which faces unique challenges.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are Puerto Rican children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences and are at risk for substance use disorders.

Not a fit: Patients who do not belong to the Puerto Rican community or who have not experienced adverse childhood experiences may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies for substance use disorders in children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding the impact of adverse childhood experiences on cognitive development can lead to significant advancements in treatment approaches, indicating that this study builds on established findings.

Where this research is happening

NEW YORK, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.