Understanding stress and reward processing in young people at risk for psychosis or early depression
Official title: Shared and differential vulnerabilities of stress and reward processing in psychosis-risk syndromes or early-stage depression
Funded at Mclean Hospital · NIH-10988307 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stress and rewards affect teenagers who might be at risk for psychosis or are dealing with early signs of depression, using brain scans while they do certain tasks, to help find better ways to support young people facing these challenges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mclean Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Belmont, United States) |
| Project start | November 16, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $178,416 |
| NIH project number | 5K23MH132900-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10988307 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents who are showing early signs of psychosis-risk syndromes or early-stage depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not exhibit any signs of psychosis or depression may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how stress and reward processing are affected in adolescents who are at risk for psychosis or experiencing early-stage depression. Participants will undergo brain imaging while engaging in tasks designed to assess their learning and response to stress. By comparing those with psychosis-risk syndromes, early-stage depression, and those without psychopathology, the study aims to uncover shared and unique vulnerabilities in these groups. The findings could lead to better understanding and treatment options for young individuals facing these mental health challenges.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved identification and treatment strategies for adolescents at risk for psychosis or early depression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of psychosis and depression, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Mclean Hospital
Belmont, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Millman, Zachary Ben — Mclean Hospital
- Study coordinator: Millman, Zachary Ben
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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.