Understanding how stress affects feelings of control in depressed adolescents

Neural Correlates of Stress and Perceived Control in Adolescent Depression

NIH-funded research Mclean Hospital · NIH-10832478

This study is looking at how stress and feelings of control affect depression in teenage girls, using brain scans to understand what's happening in their minds during tough times, with the goal of helping improve treatment for depression.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMclean Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Belmont, United States)
Project IDNIH-10832478 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between stress, perceived control, and major depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescents, particularly focusing on female adolescents. It aims to explore the neural mechanisms that underlie feelings of control during stressful situations and how these mechanisms may differ in individuals with MDD. Using neuroimaging techniques, the study will examine brain activity in regions associated with stress and control, providing insights into how these factors contribute to depressive symptoms. By identifying these neural correlates, the research seeks to enhance our understanding of adolescent depression and its treatment.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are female adolescents aged 12 to 20 who are experiencing symptoms of major depressive disorder.

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

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions for adolescent depression by targeting the neural mechanisms associated with stress and perceived control.

How similar studies have performed: While there is existing research on stress and control in adults, this study is novel as it specifically focuses on the adolescent population and their unique neural responses.

Where this research is happening

Belmont, 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.
Conditions DisorderDisease
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.