Understanding how stress affects pleasure in adolescents
Official title: Multisystem Stress Response Biotypes: Deriving Novel Physiological and Neural Risk Factors for Anhedonia in Adolescence
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10857612 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stress affects the ability to feel pleasure in teenagers aged 12 to 20, and it aims to help identify those who might need support during this important time in their lives.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | July 12, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $770,483 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH136102-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10857612 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who are experiencing symptoms of anhedonia or related affective disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 12 to 20 or those not experiencing symptoms of anhedonia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how biological responses to stress influence the ability to experience pleasure, known as anhedonia, in adolescents aged 12 to 20. By examining multiple physiological systems, including the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine system, the study aims to uncover the complex interactions that contribute to anhedonia during this critical developmental period. Participants will undergo clinical assessments and functional MRI scans to identify risk factors and patterns associated with stress responses. The goal is to improve early identification and intervention strategies for adolescents experiencing these challenges.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for adolescents struggling with anhedonia and related mental health issues.
How similar studies have gone: While research on stress and anhedonia is ongoing, this multi-system approach is relatively novel and aims to fill gaps in current understanding.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Belger, Aysenil — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Belger, Aysenil
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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.