Understanding how therapy helps teenagers with depression

Multi-level Mechanisms of Behavioral Activation Therapy for Adolescent Depression

NIH-funded research Emory University · NIH-11034137

This study is looking at how a type of therapy called Behavioral Activation can help teenagers aged 12 to 20 who are dealing with depression, by exploring how their brains respond during treatment to better understand what makes it work.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEmory University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Atlanta, United States)
Project IDNIH-11034137 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how Behavioral Activation (BA) therapy can effectively treat depression in adolescents aged 12 to 20. By examining the brain's response to different stimuli during therapy, the study aims to uncover the neurobiological mechanisms that contribute to treatment success. The research will utilize neuroimaging techniques to identify changes in brain activity related to reward processing and emotional responses, which are crucial for understanding how therapy works. Ultimately, this could lead to improved therapeutic strategies tailored for young individuals struggling with depression.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who are experiencing symptoms of depression.

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 enhance the effectiveness of depression treatments for adolescents, leading to better mental health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in using neuroimaging to understand treatment responses in depression, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Atlanta, 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.