NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Understanding and predicting irritability in children and adolescents

Official title: Multi-level mechanisms and predictors of irritability: An innovative approach bridging laboratory and real-world measures

Funded at Yale University · NIH-10909435 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking into what causes long-lasting irritability in kids and teens, helping us understand which young people might struggle with it so we can find better ways to support them.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project startSeptember 4, 2024
Project endSeptember 3, 2027
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$1,507,500
NIH project number1DP2MH140132-01
Project IDNIH-10909435 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are children and adolescents aged 0-20 who exhibit signs of chronic irritability.

Less likely to help

Patients who do not experience irritability or have other unrelated psychiatric conditions may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the causes and predictors of chronic irritability in children and adolescents, which can lead to significant emotional and behavioral issues. By examining various factors such as brain function, physiological responses, and social environments, the study aims to identify which young individuals are at risk for persistent irritability. The approach combines laboratory assessments with real-world data to create a comprehensive understanding of irritability's development. This innovative methodology seeks to fill the gap in effective treatments for chronic irritability.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better identification and treatment strategies for children and adolescents suffering from chronic irritability.

How similar studies have gone: While there has been some research on irritability, this approach is innovative and aims to address gaps in understanding chronic irritability, making it a novel investigation.

Where this research is happening

  • Yale University
    New Haven, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Tseng, Wan-Ling — Yale University
  • Study coordinator: Tseng, Wan-Ling

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Neural markers that predict how kids with ADHD respond to CNS stimulants

    This project looks at brain signals to see if they can predict which children with ADHD and aggression will benefit from stimulant medications.

    NIH research Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr · Hershey, United States · NIH-11370254

  • Understanding the brain mechanisms behind irritability in adolescents

    This study is looking at how feelings of irritability, or getting really angry when things don’t go as expected, develop in kids as they grow into teenagers, and it aims to find ways to help them manage these feelings early on to prevent bigger mental health problems later.

    NIH research San Diego State University · San Diego, United States · NIH-11001466

  • Understanding brain circuits related to irritability to find new treatments

    This study is looking at how certain brain connections affect irritability, especially in people with depression, to help create better treatments that can really make a difference for those who struggle with these feelings.

    NIH research Ut Southwestern Medical Center · Dallas, United States · NIH-10908393

  • Understanding how brain mechanisms affect irritability in young children

    This study looks at how young children, ages 3 to 6, react when they don’t get what they expect, to understand why some kids stay irritable while others grow out of it, which could help us find ways to support those who might struggle with their feelings as they get older.

    NIH research San Diego State University · San Diego, United States · NIH-10897811

  • Grappling with Trauma: BJJ for First Responders

    This program tests whether eight weeks of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be tied to changes in trauma-related symptoms for first responders who prefer movement-based activities over traditional mental health services.

    Recruiting Sam Houston State University · Conroe, Texas · NCT07783516

  • Therapy approaches for irritability in youths: active treatments vs nonactive psychoeducation

    This study tests whether active psychotherapies for irritability in kids aged 8–16.5 years work better than nonactive, time-matched psychoeducation for children and their parents.

    Recruiting National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) · Bethesda, Maryland · NCT07640802

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.