Neural links for real-world emotions in mood and anxiety

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study uses mobile health tools, self-report questionnaires, behavioral tasks, functional MRI, and physiological measures to explore how the brain processes real-world emotional events over time. The goal is to see if individual patterns of emotional responses help identify risk for developing mental disorders. Participants will complete English-language assessments on a smartphone, undergo MRI scanning, and participate in tasks that measure attention and arousal while responding to emotionally relevant stimuli. The project is conducted at the University of Miami with support from NIMH. It aims to link real-world emotional trajectories to neural mechanisms across a young adult population.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Individuals who are between 18 - 35 years old. \[Reason: to be able to provide informed consent, and to minimize variation in functional and structural differences in brain\]
* Individuals who are fluent English speakers. \[Reason: to understand study instructions \& questionnaires\]
* Smart phone access. \[Reason: to answer the questionnaires that are administered throughout the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Women who are pregnant or breast feeding and are no more than six months post-partum. \[Reason: may be unsafe for fetus, may affect outcome measure(s)\]
* Individuals who are excluded based on attached metal resonance Screening Form (Note: this form has already been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB for other protocols). \[Reason: necessary to participate in MRI research protocol\]
* Individuals whose BMI is above 35. \[Reason: must fit into fMRI scanner\]
* Individuals who have claustrophobia. \[Reason: to be able to stay in MRI scanner\]
* Individuals who are unable, in the judgment of the investigator, to comply with directions and/or tolerate the procedures required for participation in this trial. \[Reason: to be able to understand instructions and ensure safety\]
* Individuals who are unable to safely undergo MRI scanning. \[Reason: to be able to undergo MRI scanning\]

Where it's running

• University of Miami
  Coral Gables, Florida, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Aaron S Heller, PhD — University of Miami
• Study coordinator: Aaron S Heller, PhD
• Email: axh825@miami.edu
• Phone: 305-284-9498

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.