Understanding how mental health symptoms develop through decision-making processes
Official title: CRCNS: Computational Foundations for Externalizing/Internalizing Psychopathology
Funded at Princeton University · NIH-10898888 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how kids and teens develop feelings like anxiety or act out in aggressive ways, by examining their decision-making habits during fun tasks, to help improve how we understand and treat these mental health challenges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Princeton University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Princeton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 3, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $205,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH135587-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10898888 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation include children and adolescents aged 0-20 who exhibit symptoms of anxiety or aggression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable mental health and no symptoms of internalizing or externalizing disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the underlying processes that lead to mental health symptoms, focusing on two main categories: internalizing symptoms like anxiety and externalizing symptoms such as aggression. By using computational modeling, the study aims to analyze how these symptoms develop in relation to decision-making behaviors observed in children and adolescents. Participants will engage in tasks that reveal their choice behavior, helping researchers identify patterns linked to these mental health issues. The goal is to provide insights that could improve diagnosis and treatment strategies for various age groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment of mental health conditions in children and adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in computational psychiatry has shown promise in understanding internalizing symptoms, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights for externalizing symptoms as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Princeton University
Princeton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Daw, Nathaniel Douglass — Princeton University
- Study coordinator: Daw, Nathaniel Douglass
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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.