Understanding how motivation and thinking interact in depressed adolescents

Examining Longitudinal Cognitive-Motivational Interactions in Adolescents with Depression

NIH-funded research Yale University · NIH-10875559

This study is looking at how depression affects memory and motivation in teenagers, comparing their performance on memory tasks to that of their peers without depression, to help find better ways to support and treat young people dealing with this condition.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project IDNIH-10875559 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between cognitive and motivational deficits in adolescents suffering from depression. By using a specialized memory task adapted for neuroimaging, the study aims to compare how adolescents with depression perform on spatial working memory tasks versus their neurotypical peers. Participants will be followed over time to observe changes in their cognitive abilities and the underlying brain circuits involved. The goal is to gain insights that could inform better prevention strategies and treatments for adolescent depression.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who are experiencing depression or are neurotypical peers for comparison.

Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 12 to 20 or those not experiencing depression may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for adolescents dealing with depression.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cognitive and motivational interactions in mental health, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.

Where this research is happening

New Haven, 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.