Understanding how heart responses relate to youth with conduct disorder and callous traits during virtual reality fear tests.
Official title: Distinguishing Youth with Conduct Disorder with Callous-Unemotional Traits using Cardiovascular Psychophysiology During Virtual Reality Fear Induction: Testing for Sex Differences
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11080999 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how young people with conduct disorder respond to fear in virtual reality and whether their heart and body reactions are different based on their emotional traits, helping us understand how to better support both boys and girls with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $513,015 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH123535-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11080999 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are youth aged 0-20 years diagnosed with conduct disorder, especially those displaying callous-unemotional traits.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without conduct disorder or those who do not exhibit callous-unemotional traits may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between cardiovascular responses and callous-unemotional traits in youth with conduct disorder (CD) during virtual reality fear induction. By using advanced psychophysiological methods, the study aims to identify distinct biological markers that differentiate youth with severe behavioral symptoms from those without. The research will also explore potential sex differences in these responses, providing insights into how these traits manifest differently in boys and girls. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance treatment approaches for youth with CD by understanding the underlying mechanisms of their behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective, tailored interventions for youth with conduct disorder, particularly those exhibiting callous-unemotional traits.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the biological underpinnings of conduct disorder, but this specific approach using virtual reality and cardiovascular measures is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomson, Nicholas David — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Thomson, Nicholas David
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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.