NIH-funded research Fellowship grant

Understanding how traumatic brain injuries affect mental health and substance use in young people.

Official title: Traumatic Brain Injury, Mental Health Functioning, and Substance Misuse Among Youth from the ABCD Cohort.

Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10998840 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how traumatic brain injuries, mental health challenges, and substance use are connected in kids aged 9 to 14, to help understand what might put them at risk and how to support them better.

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Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2024
Project endAugust 31, 2028
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$44,401
NIH project number1F31DA061618-01
Project IDNIH-10998840 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 9 to 14 who have experienced a traumatic brain injury.

Less likely to help

Patients outside the age range of 9 to 14 or those who have not experienced a traumatic brain injury may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the connections between traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), mental health issues, and substance misuse among adolescents aged 9 to 14. By analyzing data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, the project aims to understand how mental health symptoms may influence the relationship between TBIs and substance use behaviors. The study will also explore how personality traits, such as impulsivity, can affect these relationships. This comprehensive approach seeks to identify risk factors and improve outcomes for affected youth.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prevention and intervention strategies for adolescents at risk of mental health issues and substance misuse following a traumatic brain injury.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the impacts of TBIs on mental health and substance use, indicating that this approach is building on established findings.

Where this research is happening

  • University of California, San Diego
    La Jolla, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Delfel, Everett Lee — University of California, San Diego
  • Study coordinator: Delfel, Everett Lee

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.