Understanding Heart Rhythm Patterns and Substance Use in Young People
Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia as a Predictor of Substance Use among Early Adolescents
This project looks at how heart rhythm patterns in young adolescents might help us understand who is more likely to use substances, so we can offer support early.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rhode Island Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11121900 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research aims to identify early adolescents at risk for substance use by examining their heart rate variability, specifically Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA). RSA is a natural change in heart rate linked to breathing and emotion regulation, which doesn't rely on self-reporting. Researchers use a special virtual reality party task to see how adolescents' RSA changes when they face challenging situations. By observing how quickly their heart rate returns to normal after stress, the team hopes to find a way to spot those who might struggle with emotion regulation and be more vulnerable to risky behaviors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this type of research would be early adolescents, typically between 12 and 20 years old, who may or may not have a history of substance use.
Not a fit: Patients who are not in the early adolescent age range or who are not at risk for substance use may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to identify young adolescents at higher risk for substance use, allowing for earlier and more effective prevention programs.
How similar studies have performed: Pilot data from the research team suggests that recovery RSA patterns are different in adolescents with a history of substance use, indicating some initial success with this approach.
Where this research is happening
Providence, United States
- Rhode Island Hospital — Providence, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Houck, Christopher D. — Rhode Island Hospital
- Study coordinator: Houck, Christopher D.
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.