Monitoring impulsivity to understand suicide risk
Official title: Digital Monitoring of Impulsivity as a Proximal Risk Factor for Suicidal Outcomes
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11092101 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how impulsive behavior can help us understand and predict suicidal thoughts in people who are at high risk, using real-time data from patients in emergency rooms and hospitals to find out what triggers these feelings and how they might differ from person to person.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $195,625 |
| NIH project number | 5K23MH132766-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11092101 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults under 21 years old who are experiencing suicidal thoughts and are seeking care in emergency departments or are hospitalized for these issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience impulsivity or suicidal thoughts may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how impulsivity, a fluctuating behavior, can predict suicidal urges in individuals at high risk. By using digital monitoring techniques, the study will analyze real-time data from patients in emergency departments and those hospitalized for suicidal thoughts. The goal is to identify which aspects of impulsivity are most closely linked to suicidal behavior and how these patterns may vary among different individuals. This approach aims to enhance our understanding of immediate risk factors for suicide and inform potential interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for suicide prevention by identifying and targeting impulsivity in at-risk individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that monitoring impulsivity can provide valuable insights into suicidal behavior, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fortgang, Rebecca Gwen — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Fortgang, Rebecca Gwen
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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.