National Institute Of Mental Health (nimh)

This study tests two psychological treatments—Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and a computer-based training called Interpretation Bias Training (IBT)—to help children aged 8 to 17 with severe irritability and temper outbursts (Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder). Participa…

This study tests whether a new drug called HNK can quickly improve symptoms in people with major depression that hasn't responded to other treatments. About 50 adults aged 18 to 70 will receive four infusions of HNK and four of a placebo over several weeks, with their depression …

This study tests whether playing virtual reality games can improve thinking skills like attention and memory in children with ADHD. About 219 kids aged 8 to 16 will play specially designed VR games for 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. The goal is to see if these game…

This study tests a new approach called gaze-contingent music reward therapy (GCMRT) combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for children aged 8 to 17 with anxiety disorders. About 150 participants will receive CBT for 4 weeks, then CBT plus either GCMRT or a control task…

This study uses a special brain scan (MRS) to measure how the brain makes and uses two key chemicals: glutamate (which excites brain cells) and GABA (which calms them). Researchers will scan healthy adults aged 18-65 to improve the accuracy and reliability of this technique. The …

This study looks at how negative feelings like stress, pain, or hunger change the way healthy adults make decisions. Researchers will use tasks, questionnaires, and brain scans to understand these effects. The goal is to learn more about how emotions influence behavior, which cou…

This study tests a new radioactive tracer called 11C-JMJ-129 to see how well it can image a protein called PDE4D in the brain and body of healthy volunteers. PDE4D is linked to thinking and mood, and may play a role in disorders like Alzheimer's and depression. Researchers will a…

This study looks at how ketamine, a fast-acting antidepressant, changes brain activity in people with major depression and healthy volunteers. Participants receive ketamine or placebo infusions while undergoing brain scans and tests. The goal is to understand how ketamine works a…

This study screens up to 16,000 people with mood or anxiety disorders, as well as healthy volunteers, to see if they can join other research studies. Participants undergo evaluations like interviews, brain scans, and lab tests. The goal is to gather information to better understa…

This study uses a special PET scan tracer to measure levels of an enzyme called PDE4B in the brain. Researchers want to see if people with depression have lower PDE4B levels than healthy volunteers. The study involves up to 5 visits, including brain scans and blood draws. It is f…

This study looks at how the brain changes with age and how genes might affect impulsive or compulsive behaviors. Researchers will use brain scans, surveys, and genetic tests in people ages 6 to 80. The goal is to understand why some people are more impulsive or compulsive than ot…

This study aims to learn more about severe mood dysregulation in children and teens aged 7 to 17. Participants with chronic anger, sadness, or irritability will undergo specialized tests and brain imaging to uncover brain changes linked to these symptoms. The goal is to better un…

This study tests a new imaging method to see if a brain enzyme linked to inflammation is more active in people with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment. Researchers will compare brain scans from 90 volunteers (patients and healthy older adults) using a special radioa…

This study looks at how certain types of brain damage change the way people pay attention to what they see. Researchers will compare adults with brain lesions (from stroke, injury, or surgery) to healthy volunteers using thinking tests, MRI scans, and MEG recordings. The goal is …

This study looks at how physical activity, sleep, and light exposure relate to mood in people with bipolar disorder or major depression, as well as healthy volunteers. Over two years, participants wear activity monitors, complete daily mood diaries on their phone, and visit the c…

This study aims to see if a special PET scan can detect inflammation in the brains of people with diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, and dementia. About 184 adults, including healthy volunteers, will receive two PET scans and an MRI. The goal is to better understand how…

This study looks at how brain function and thinking patterns relate to anxiety in children and teens aged 8 to 17. Researchers will use brain imaging and cognitive tasks to compare anxious youth with healthy peers, and track changes over a year of standard treatments like therapy…

This study follows 1000 adults who previously took part in mood disorder research at the National Institute of Mental Health. The goal is to understand the long-term impact of depression, bipolar disorder, and suicide risk. Participants complete online surveys and optional phone …

This study tests a new type of sensor that measures the tiny magnetic fields produced by brain activity. Healthy adults aged 18-65 will try the new sensor and compare it to existing technology. The goal is to see if the new sensor can pinpoint brain activity more accurately.

This study screens up to 5,000 healthy volunteers and people at risk for conditions like autism or other brain disorders. The goal is to carefully evaluate participants through interviews and cognitive tests to see if they qualify for other research studies at NIH. No treatment i…

This study uses brain scans (MRI) to see how the brain grows and changes in children aged 5 to 17 with Williams syndrome or a related genetic duplication, compared to healthy children. Researchers will also test memory, attention, and thinking skills. Participants will have scans…

This study aims to improve MRI scanning techniques to better understand how mood and anxiety disorders affect the brain. Researchers will scan healthy volunteers and people with major depressive disorder while they perform tasks or view images. The goal is to develop better tools…

This study looks at how a brain chemical called GABA may affect the way people with autism process sounds. Researchers will use brain scans and magnetic pulses to measure brain activity in children and young adults. The goal is to better understand the brain differences in autism…

This study tests a new radioactive tracer called [11C]ZTP-1 to see if it can measure a protein called PDE4B in the body and brain. PDE4B helps control inflammation and brain signals, and better imaging could help manage diseases. Healthy adults aged 18 and older will have PET/CT …

This study follows 500 adults receiving care for depression, bipolar disorder, or suicide risk. Researchers will use interviews, questionnaires, and optional tests like blood draws and brain scans to track how symptoms change over time. The goal is to find better ways to measure …

This study follows healthy boys and girls from age 8 to 17, using brain scans and hormone tests every 8-10 months. The goal is to understand how puberty changes the brain and behavior, and why some mental health conditions emerge during adolescence. Results may help prevent or tr…

This study aims to understand what happens in the brain when someone has thought about or attempted suicide. Researchers will use interviews, blood tests, brain scans, and sleep monitoring to compare four groups: people who recently had suicidal thoughts or attempts, those with p…

This study looks at how alcohol changes a brain protein called PDE4B, which may be linked to alcohol use disorder. Healthy social drinkers aged 21 to 70 will have brain scans before and after receiving alcohol. The goal is to understand how alcohol affects this protein, which cou…

This study aims to learn more about psychiatric, behavioral, and developmental disorders that begin in childhood. Researchers will observe up to 1,000 people of any age who have these conditions, along with their family members. The goal is to better understand how these disorder…

This study looks at how ketamine quickly improves depression symptoms in adults with treatment-resistant major depression. Researchers want to see if a specific brain receptor (AMPA) is involved. Participants will stay at the hospital for 5 weeks, take ketamine and a study drug o…

This study aims to recruit up to 2,000 healthy adults aged 18-70 to serve as a reference group for other NIMH research studies. Participants complete online surveys, an in-person checkup, and optional brain scans. Their de-identified data will be shared with scientists to help un…

This study aims to learn more about what causes depression in teenagers and how the brain changes with it. Researchers will compare teens with depression to those without, using interviews, computer tasks, and brain scans. Participants may also receive free talk therapy or medica…

This study looks at a brain protein called PDE4B in people with alcohol use disorder. Researchers want to see if levels of this protein change during alcohol withdrawal and after a few weeks of not drinking. The study involves 30 adults who will have two PET brain scans and possi…

This study uses brain scans (fMRI) to see how blood flow changes in the brain when healthy adults do tasks involving vision, recognition, and memory. Researchers aim to understand normal brain function. Participants must be 18–65, healthy, and fluent in English.

This study aims to understand how the brain processes visual information, such as recognizing faces, tools, or scenes. Healthy volunteers aged 18-50 will perform visual tasks while researchers use MRI scans and brain stimulation (TMS or tES) to temporarily change brain activity. …

This study aims to learn how sleep changes as children's brains grow, by collecting sleep and development data from healthy children and those with conditions like autism or ADHD. About 244 children ages 6 months to 8 years will have overnight sleep studies, developmental tests, …

This study aims to improve MRI and MRS imaging methods to better measure brain chemicals and activity. Researchers will scan 300 healthy adults aged 18-65 to refine these techniques. No treatment or medication is involved—the goal is to develop better tools for future psychiatric…

This study uses special PET scans to look for signs of inflammation in the brains of people with major depressive disorder (MDD) compared to healthy volunteers. Researchers will measure two enzymes, COX-1 and COX-2, which are linked to inflammation. The goal is to better understa…

This study is looking at whether a special radioactive tracer can detect brain inflammation in people with long COVID who have symptoms like headaches, memory problems, or depression. Researchers will compare brain scans of 60 adults (ages 18-70) who have long COVID with healthy …

This study looks at how the brain responds when people feel frustrated. Researchers will use brain scans (MRI and MEG) while healthy adults aged 18 to 55 do a simple computer task. The goal is to understand the brain circuits involved in frustration, which may help develop better…