Understanding how brain function affects anxiety risk in children with behavioral inhibition
Official title: Neurocognitive Predictors of Anxiety Risk Among Behaviorally Inhibited Children
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-10890643 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being shy or cautious as a child might lead to anxiety later on, and it wants to find out how different ways of thinking can affect this risk, so we can help kids who might need support before anxiety becomes a bigger issue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $193,817 |
| NIH project number | 5K23MH130751-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10890643 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who exhibit signs of behavioral inhibition.
✕Less likely to help
Children who do not show behavioral inhibition or are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between behavioral inhibition in children and their risk of developing anxiety later in life. It focuses on understanding how different cognitive control strategies—reactive versus proactive—impact this risk. By using advanced neuroimaging techniques, the study aims to identify the brain mechanisms involved in these processes. The goal is to predict which children with behavioral inhibition are more likely to experience anxiety, thereby informing early interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better identification and prevention strategies for anxiety in children at risk due to behavioral inhibition.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the neurocognitive mechanisms of anxiety, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Valadez, Emilio Alejandro — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Valadez, Emilio Alejandro
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Doula support to improve mood and anxiety health for rural mothers
A rural-focused program tests whether birth doulas can boost confidence, support, and maternal health for new mothers with mood and anxiety concerns.
-
Understanding how heavy drinking and anxiety relate in emerging adults
This grant studies how heavy alcohol use and anxiety symptoms interact in young adults (ages 18–34) and what biological stress markers might reveal about that relationship.
-
Molecular and brain circuits linked to anxiety disorders
A researcher is studying a specific brain circuit to understand what drives anxiety and how it could be treated for people with anxiety disorders.
-
Expressive Writing to Help Sexual Minority Veterans with Depression and Anxiety
A brief writing program to help sexual minority veterans feel less depression and anxiety.
-
Transdiagnostic Behavior Therapy for Veterans with Social Anxiety and PTSD Symptoms
A clinical trial tests whether a flexible brain-behavior therapy helps veterans with social anxiety and PTSD symptoms feel better and engage more in daily life.
-
How parents' emotions shape young children's anxiety
This project explores how parents' moment-by-moment emotions and bodily signals shape anxiety in children from infancy through age 11.
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.