Understanding mental health crises in youth with intellectual disabilities

Understanding Mental Health Crises in Youth With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Observational Rady Pediatric Genomics & Systems Medicine Institute · NCT05471232

This study looks at young people with intellectual disabilities who come to the emergency room for mental health crises to see what factors might put them at risk and how to improve their care.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment150 (estimated)
Ages7 Years to 17 Years
SexAll
SponsorRady Pediatric Genomics & Systems Medicine Institute Academic / other
Locations1 site (San Diego, California)
Trial IDNCT05471232 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study focuses on youth aged 7-17 with intellectual developmental disabilities (IDDs) who present to the emergency department at Rady Children's Hospital due to a mental health crisis. The study aims to collect biological samples and analyze genomic, medical, and psychiatric profiles to identify risk factors associated with mental health crises in this population. By comparing these youth to historical cohorts, the research seeks to leverage machine learning and genomic sequencing to develop better models of psychiatric care and early identification of at-risk individuals.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are children and adolescents aged 7-17 with a reported intellectual developmental disability who are admitted to the emergency department for a mental health crisis.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have an intellectual developmental disability or those who do not present with a mental health crisis will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved identification and management of youth with IDDs at risk for mental health crises.

How similar studies have performed: While there is ongoing research in the area of mental health crises in youth with IDDs, this specific approach utilizing genomic analysis and machine learning is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Child/adolescents admitted to the RCHSD ED with an IDD presenting in a MHC that includes, but is not limited to:

* Aggression towards others
* Severe agitation
* Self-injury
* Elopement

OR

Biological parents of child/adolescent enrolled in this study for the purposes of reflex testing. (Family members are eligible for participation in this study if they presumed genetically related to a participant).

Exclusion Criteria:

Child/Adolescents participants who do not meet any of the inclusion criteria, or those who:

* Already received any prior whole genome sequencing or exome sequencing
* Unable to approach the family or patient for enrollment
* Unable to obtain informed consent
* family members are ineligible for participation in this study if they are known to not be genetically related to the child/adolescent participant and/or if they are a member of a protected research population.

Where this trial is running

San Diego, California

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Intellectual DisabilityGenomicIntellectual and Developmental DisabilityMental Health CrisisPediatricRady Children's Hospital
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.