Understanding how reward responses relate to depression in adolescents with autism
Official title: Reward responsivity and depression in autism spectrum disorder: A multimethod approach
Funded at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles · NIH-10994165 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how feeling rewarded—whether from social interactions or other activities—affects depression in teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and it hopes to find ways to help them feel better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hospital of Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $161,970 |
| NIH project number | 5K23MH131852-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10994165 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 21 who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and experiencing symptoms of depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Autism Spectrum Disorder or who are outside the age range of 12 to 21 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between reward responsivity and depression in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It aims to identify risk factors for depression by using both clinical assessments and objective measures like electroencephalograms (EEG). The study focuses on understanding how social and nonsocial rewards affect depression symptoms in this population, which may help in developing better interventions. By examining these factors, the research seeks to provide insights into the unique challenges faced by adolescents with ASD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for depression in adolescents with autism.
How similar studies have gone: While research on reward responsivity in neurotypical adolescents has shown promise, this specific approach in adolescents with autism is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwartzman, Jessica M — Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Schwartzman, Jessica M
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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.