Understanding how social and monetary rewards affect pleasure and emotions in at-risk adolescents

Neural Indices of Social and Monetary Reward Processing as Predictors of Real-World Pleasure and Affect in Adolescents at Risk for Depression

NIH-funded research State University of Ny,binghamton · NIH-11051103

This study is looking at how teenagers who might be at risk for depression react to social and money rewards, by checking how their brains respond during these experiences, to help us understand what affects their happiness and emotional health.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionState University of Ny,binghamton NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Binghamton, United States)
Project IDNIH-11051103 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how adolescents at risk for depression respond to social and monetary rewards, focusing on their brain activity during these experiences. By using advanced techniques to measure neural responses, the study aims to connect laboratory findings with real-world feelings of pleasure and emotional well-being. The goal is to better understand the factors that contribute to depression in adolescents, particularly those with a family history of the condition. Participants will engage in tasks designed to assess their reactions to different types of rewards, providing valuable insights into their emotional health.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12-20 who have a maternal history of major depressive disorder.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a family history of depression or who are outside the adolescent age range may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions for adolescents at risk of depression.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding reward processing in adolescents, but this study aims to explore new connections between laboratory findings and real-world emotional experiences.

Where this research is happening

Binghamton, 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.