Parent coaching may rewire kids' brains to fight depression

NCT ID NCT06725160

Recruiting now Knowledge-focused Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether teaching mothers with depression to encourage positive emotions in their young children (ages 4-6) can increase the child's brain response to rewards. 180 mother-child pairs will be randomly assigned to either a parent-coaching program or general parenting support. Brain activity is measured before and after using EEG.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Parent coaching (behavioral intervention)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a simple parenting strategy to strengthen children's brain reward systems, potentially reducing future depression risk.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early mechanistic study (180 participants) looking at brain signals, not clinical outcomes. The coaching is brief (3 sessions) and may not produce lasting changes.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Behavior Depression depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

DEPRESSION PARENT-CHILD RELATIONS

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of Pittsburgh
RECRUITING

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States

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