NIH-funded research R21 grant

Understanding pain in children with early onset psychosis

Official title: Neurobiological Underpinnings of Pain-Related Symptoms in Early Onset Psychosis

Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-10741010 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how children with early onset psychosis experience pain, even when doctors can't find a clear reason for it, and it aims to understand their pain better by comparing their experiences with those of healthy kids.

More Psychosis research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBoston Children's Hospital
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project startJuly 7, 2023
Project endJuly 6, 2025
Funding year2023
Award (this year)$486,750
NIH project number1R21MH131941-01A1
Project IDNIH-10741010 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 13-18 years who have been diagnosed with early onset psychosis.

Less likely to help

Patients who do not have early onset psychosis or are outside the age range of 13-18 years may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the pain experiences of children diagnosed with early onset psychosis (EOP), who often report significant pain without clear medical explanations. The study will assess pain severity and quality, as well as mental health factors, through clinical questionnaires administered to both EOP patients and healthy controls. Additionally, it aims to explore the neurobiological aspects of pain perception in these patients, providing insights into how their nervous systems process pain during critical developmental stages.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of pain in children with early onset psychosis, enhancing their quality of life.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding pain perception in adults with psychosis can lead to better treatment strategies, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach with children.

Where this research is happening

  • Boston Children's Hospital
    Boston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Upadhyay, Jaymin a — Boston Children's Hospital
  • Study coordinator: Upadhyay, Jaymin a

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Psychosis in diverse settings across the world

    This project studies how psychotic disorders show up and respond to treatment in adults with diverse backgrounds, including populations in Africa, the Caribbean, and other Global South settings.

    NIH research Suny Downstate Medical Center · Brooklyn, United States · NIH-11592428

  • Psychosis in Diverse Settings: Understanding Symptoms and Treatment Across Global South

    A human-facing study will look at how psychotic disorders present and respond to treatment in adults from Africa, the Caribbean, and other Global South settings, using genetic and clinical data.

    NIH research Suny Downstate Medical Center · Brooklyn, United States · NIH-11592427

  • A new online brain-scan-style tool to spot early psychosis risk

    A new online-based set of tasks and a computer model aims to identify people at high risk for developing psychosis earlier and more accurately.

    NIH research Northwestern University · Chicago, United States · NIH-11590585

  • Genetic clues for early-onset psychosis in Latino youth

    This project looks at the genes of young people with early-onset psychosis and compares them with similar youths without psychosis to find genetic factors that contribute to the illness.

    NIH research Boston Children's Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11554752

  • Biomarkers to tailor rehab for Veterans with schizophrenia

    A clinician-scientist is developing a brain-based biomarker to guide personalized rehabilitation for Veterans with schizophrenia.

    NIH research VA San Diego Healthcare System · San Diego, United States · NIH-11552825

  • Computational analysis of facial expression in early psychosis

    Aims to develop computer-based measures of facial expression in people at risk for or with schizophrenia to help track symptoms and guide future trials.

    NIH research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · New York, United States · NIH-11539126

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.