Can brain scans and DNA predict teen depression?
NCT ID NCT01743716
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at how mood and brain activity are linked in adolescent girls to find genetic and brain-based clues that might predict depression. One hundred healthy girls aged 12-14 and their mothers took part over six months. The teens completed interviews, questionnaires, computer tasks, and provided saliva for genetic testing, plus an fMRI brain scan. The goal is to better understand what puts some teens at risk for depression.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this research could help identify early warning signs for depression in teens, leading to better prevention strategies.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study with a small sample of 100 healthy girls, so findings may not apply to everyone. It does not test a treatment.
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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
Locations
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McLean Hospital
Belmont, Massachusetts, 02478, United States
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