NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Understanding how early life challenges affect emotional memory development

Official title: Neurocomputational Mechanisms of Affective Semantic Memory Development

Funded at Columbia Univ New York Morningside · NIH-10861911 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how tough experiences in childhood, like abuse or neglect, affect how kids and teens remember emotions, and it’s for families who want to understand how these challenges might influence mental health and help create better support for them.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionColumbia Univ New York Morningside
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project startJuly 1, 2023
Project endJune 30, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$49,579
NIH project number5F99NS134207-02
Project IDNIH-10861911 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for participation include children and adolescents aged 0-21 who have experienced early-life adversities.

Less likely to help

Patients who have not experienced early-life adversities or are outside the age range of 0-21 may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how early-life adversities, such as abuse or neglect, impact the development of emotional memory in children and adolescents. By utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques and computational modeling, the study aims to uncover the brain mechanisms that link these adversities to mental health outcomes. Participants may engage in assessments that involve real-world interactions, such as parent-child behaviors, to provide insights into emotional processing. The findings could help in developing targeted interventions for those affected by early-life challenges.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and treating mental health disorders in children and adolescents who have experienced early adversity.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the impact of early-life adversity on mental health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • Columbia Univ New York Morningside
    New York, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Vannucci, Anna — Columbia Univ New York Morningside
  • Study coordinator: Vannucci, Anna

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.