Neurocognitive processing of gun-violence media and teen anxiety and depression

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This project follows 12- to 20-year-olds to understand how frequent media exposure to gun violence shapes their brain activity and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Researchers will measure attention and vigilance in the brain using advanced EEG techniques while teens view gun-violence related media, focusing on how brain networks develop during adolescence. The goal is to identify neural pathways that link media exposure to mood changes and to see if Black adolescents experience different effects due to higher exposure. The findings could inform interventions to reduce distress and improve mental health during a critical developmental window.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
  Pittsburgh, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Woody, Mary Louise — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
• Study coordinator: Woody, Mary Louise

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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.