Understanding how stress affects pleasure in teenagers
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-11220759 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how stress affects the ability to feel pleasure in teenagers aged 12 to 20, hoping to find ways to help those who struggle to enjoy things they used to love.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $107,566 |
| NIH project number | 3R01MH136102-01S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11220759 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 impact the ability to experience pleasure in adolescents aged 12 to 20. It focuses on understanding the complex interactions between different physiological systems, such as the autonomic nervous system and hormonal responses, during acute stress events. By examining these multi-system stress responses, the study aims to identify risk factors for anhedonia, a condition where individuals struggle to find joy in activities they once enjoyed. The findings could lead to better interventions for adolescents experiencing these challenges.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for adolescents suffering from anhedonia and related mental health issues.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the relationship between stress and mental health, but this multi-system approach is relatively novel.
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.