Understanding social withdrawal in young people after trauma

Progressive social withdrawal in trauma-exposed older adolescents and young adults: neurocircuitry predictors

NIH-funded research Mclean Hospital · NIH-11145080

This project explores how brain activity and social experiences connect to progressive social withdrawal in older adolescents and young adults who have experienced trauma.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMclean Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Belmont, United States)
Project IDNIH-11145080 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Social withdrawal can significantly impact physical and mental health, especially for young people transitioning into adulthood. We want to understand how trauma might lead to changes in social connections and brain function, specifically in areas related to social reward and avoidance. By following young people over time and using digital tools to track their social behavior, we hope to uncover the brain patterns that predict why some individuals withdraw more than others after experiencing trauma. This knowledge could help us identify those at highest risk and develop better ways to support them.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adolescents and young adults, typically between 16 and 20 years old, who have experienced trauma and may be showing signs of social withdrawal.

Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced trauma or are outside the specified age range may not directly benefit from this particular research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier identification and more effective interventions for young people experiencing social withdrawal after trauma, potentially reducing risks like suicide.

How similar studies have performed: While the link between trauma and social withdrawal is known, this project uses innovative longitudinal design and digital phenotyping to specifically connect brain activity to progressive social withdrawal, making its approach novel.

Where this research is happening

Belmont, 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.