Understanding how reward valuation relates to suicidal behavior in at-risk adolescents
Official title: Reward Valuation and Suicidal Behavior in High-Risk Adolescents
Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-11030786 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how teenagers who are getting treatment for self-harm think about rewards they can get right away versus those they have to wait for, to see if this affects their risk of suicidal behavior, and it will follow them for six months after they leave the hospital to help find ways to keep them safe.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 7, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $632,539 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH130364-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11030786 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents under 17 years old who are receiving acute psychiatric treatment for self-injurious thoughts or behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing self-injurious thoughts or behaviors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between how adolescents value immediate versus delayed rewards and their risk of suicidal behavior. It focuses on high-risk youth undergoing acute psychiatric treatment for self-injurious thoughts and behaviors. By examining neural processes involved in reward valuation, the study aims to identify objective predictors of suicidal behavior and potential intervention targets. Participants will be followed for six months post-discharge, a critical period for assessing risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better identification of adolescents at risk for suicide and inform targeted interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated a link between reward valuation and suicidal behavior, suggesting that this approach has potential for meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kujawa, Autumn J — Vanderbilt University
- Study coordinator: Kujawa, Autumn J
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.