Understanding how brain development in adolescents relates to mental health issues

Alignment of cortical development trajectories with emergent dimensional psychopathology and related risk factors among adolescents in the ABCD Study

NIH-funded research Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11131744

This study is looking at how changes in the brain during the teenage years might be linked to mental health issues, and it's for kids aged 9-10 who want to help us understand how growing up affects their minds.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11131744 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between brain development and the emergence of mental health symptoms during adolescence. By utilizing data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, the project will analyze brain imaging results alongside developmental history and environmental factors over a ten-year period. Participants, aged 9-10 at enrollment, will undergo multiple MRI assessments to track changes in brain structure and their correlation with mental health outcomes. The goal is to identify specific brain maturation patterns that may predict the onset of psychopathology in late adolescence.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 9-10 who are enrolled in the ABCD Study and are willing to participate in ongoing assessments.

Not a fit: Patients who are not part of the ABCD Study or those outside the age range of 9-10 years at enrollment may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early identification and intervention strategies for mental health issues in adolescents.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in linking brain development patterns to mental health outcomes, indicating that this approach has potential for significant findings.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.