Understanding the brain mechanisms behind irritability in adolescents
Official title: Neural mechanisms of risk for irritability across the transition to adolescence
Funded at San Diego State University · NIH-11001466 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how feelings of irritability, or getting really angry when things don’t go as expected, develop in kids as they grow into teenagers, and it aims to find ways to help them manage these feelings early on to prevent bigger mental health problems later.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | San Diego State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | March 3, 2021 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $323,843 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH122487-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001466 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are preadolescents aged 9-12 who exhibit signs of irritability or related behavioral concerns.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are outside the age range of 9-12 or do not exhibit irritability may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how irritability, which is excessive anger in response to unmet expectations, develops in adolescents. By examining changes in brain activity related to reward processing and self-control, the study aims to uncover the neural pathways that contribute to irritability as children transition into their teenage years. Utilizing data from a large national study, researchers will track preadolescents over several years to identify patterns and changes in their brain function. The goal is to find ways to intervene early and prevent irritability from leading to more serious mental health issues later in life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early interventions that help reduce irritability and its associated mental health risks in adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the neural mechanisms of emotional regulation in adolescents, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
San Diego State University
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wiggins, Jillian Lee — San Diego State University
- Study coordinator: Wiggins, Jillian Lee
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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.