Reward sensitivity, impulsive sensation seeking, and emotion regulation linked to bipolar risk in young adults
Reward, impulsive sensation seeking and emotional dysregulation: neural mechanisms underlying risk for bipolar disorder in young adults
This project looks for brain patterns tied to reward, impulsivity, and emotion control that can help spot young adults at risk for bipolar disorder rather than depression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11257252 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You'll have brain scans and behavioral tests now and be followed over time to see who develops manic/hypomanic versus depressive symptoms. The team measures brain activity during reward and emotion tasks, white-matter structure, and large-scale network connectivity using MRI alongside questionnaires about mood and behavior. They compare these markers to mood changes to find patterns that predict bipolar risk versus risk for major depression. If you are a young adult with mood symptoms or a family history of bipolar disorder, you might be invited to take part and return for follow-up visits.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are young adults with mood symptoms, recent depressive episodes, or a family history of bipolar disorder who can attend MRI visits and follow-up assessments.
Not a fit: People without mood symptoms, those outside the young-adult age range, or anyone unable or unwilling to undergo MRI scans and follow-up are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify people at higher risk for bipolar disorder earlier and point to brain targets for prevention or tailored treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work by this team and others has found promising brain activity and white-matter markers that predict mania versus depression, but larger and longer studies are still needed to confirm and translate these findings.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Phillips, Mary Louise — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Phillips, Mary Louise
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 below.