Understanding positive emotions in young adults with bipolar disorder
Official title: Positive Emotion in Bipolar Disorder Onset and Illness Course in Emerging Adults
Funded at University of Colorado · NIH-10994670 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how difficulties with managing positive emotions might influence the start and development of bipolar disorder in young adults, and it’s for people who are at high risk, recently diagnosed, or at low risk for the condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boulder, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | December 5, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $638,466 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH131803-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10994670 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include emerging adults who are either diagnosed with bipolar disorder, at high risk for developing it, or at low risk.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not within the emerging adult age range or who do not have a history of mood disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how positive emotion dysregulation (PED) affects the onset and progression of bipolar disorder (BD) in emerging adults. By using a combination of behavioral assessments and neuroimaging techniques, the study aims to identify patterns of PED in individuals at high risk for BD, those who have recently been diagnosed, and those at low risk. Over a two-year period, participants will be monitored to see how their emotional responses relate to the development and course of bipolar symptoms. The goal is to better understand the role of positive emotions in the early stages of bipolar disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved early detection and intervention strategies for bipolar disorder in young adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding emotional dysregulation in bipolar disorder, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado
Boulder, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gruber, June L — University of Colorado
- Study coordinator: Gruber, June L
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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.