Prefrontal Brain Development and Adolescent Reward-Seeking Behavior
Official title: Implications of Prefrontal Cortex Development for Adolescent Reward Seeking Behavior
Funded at State University of Ny,binghamton · NIH-11418518 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A young-person study explores how changing brain circuits during adolescence influence impulse control and reward-driven behaviors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of Ny,binghamton NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Binghamton, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $224,099 |
| NIH project number | 5R00MH132082-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418518 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adolescents and young adults experiencing anxiety disorders or related behavioral challenges.
✕Less likely to help
The study may not directly benefit individuals outside the adolescent age range or without anxiety-related concerns.
What this research studies
This project looks at how growth in the brain’s decision-making area (the mPFC) and the feeding/drive area (the LH) during adolescence may shape impulsivity and reward-seeking. Researchers plan to study these brain regions and their communication to understand why teens often act on rewards and face behavioral switching challenges. The work will involve brain imaging and possibly other measures to connect brain changes with typical adolescent behavior, with a focus on anxiety-related concerns. The goal is to map how adolescent brain development could underlie risky or reward-driven choices, which could inform future strategies for youth well-being.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform better approaches to support adolescents in managing impulses and rewards, potentially reducing anxiety-related challenges.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked mPFC and LH development to reward processing, but detailed adolescent circuit dynamics remain an active area with promising but early results.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of Ny,binghamton
Binghamton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Manzano Nieves, Gabriela — State University of Ny,binghamton
- Study coordinator: Manzano Nieves, Gabriela
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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.