Brain scans reveal how talk therapy may ease teen depression

NCT ID NCT05548244

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Emory University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for DEPRESSION are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Depression depressive disorder major depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

DEPRESSION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Child and Adolescent Mood Program (CAMP)
RECRUITING

Atlanta, Georgia, 30329, United States
Emory University
RECRUITING

Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
Facility for Education and Research in Neuroscience (FERN)
RECRUITING

Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.