Brain scans reveal how talk therapy may ease teen depression
NCT ID NCT05548244
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at how Behavioral Activation (BA) therapy affects the brains of depressed teenagers. 136 teens aged 15-17 with depression will receive up to 16 therapy sessions focused on increasing rewarding activities. Researchers will use brain scans (fMRI) to see if BA therapy changes brain activity related to avoidance and motivation. A healthy control group will also be scanned for comparison.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Behavioral Activation Therapy
What this could lead to
If successful, this could show that Behavioral Activation therapy effectively reduces depression in teens by targeting specific brain pathways.
What could go wrong
This is an early-stage study with only 136 participants. It focuses on brain changes, not a new drug, so results may not lead to a widely available treatment. The therapy requires commitment to 16 sessions.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Child and Adolescent Mood Program (CAMP)
RECRUITINGAtlanta, Georgia, 30329, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Emory University
RECRUITINGAtlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
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Facility for Education and Research in Neuroscience (FERN)
RECRUITINGAtlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••