Understanding how childhood trauma affects responses to rewards and threats in adolescents

Modeling and modulating neural responses to reward and threat: Associations with childhood adversity and risk for substance use problems

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11134878

This study is looking at how different kinds of childhood trauma affect how teenagers respond to rewards and threats, with the goal of finding better ways to help young people aged 12 to 20 who have experienced trauma avoid problems like substance use.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-11134878 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how different types of childhood trauma influence the brain's responses to rewards and threats in adolescents aged 12 to 20. By using advanced techniques in affective neuroscience and predictive modeling, the study aims to identify personalized approaches for preventing substance use disorders in youth who have experienced trauma. The research will explore how experiences of neglect or abuse affect emotional and behavioral responses, which could lead to tailored interventions for at-risk adolescents. Participants may undergo assessments that evaluate their neural responses and emotional health.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who have a history of childhood trauma and are at risk for substance use problems.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a history of childhood trauma or are outside the age range of 12 to 20 may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective prevention strategies for substance use disorders in adolescents who have experienced childhood trauma.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in using neuroscience to understand the impacts of childhood trauma on behavior, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, 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.