Inside the teen brain: landmark study tracks Puberty's hidden effects

NCT ID NCT01434368

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Aug 12, 2026 · Updated 13 times

Summary

This study follows healthy boys and girls from ages 8 to 17, using brain scans and hormone tests to see how puberty affects brain structure and function. Researchers aim to understand why mental health conditions like depression and schizophrenia often emerge during adolescence. The study does not test any treatment but will provide crucial insights into normal brain development.

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 study could reveal how puberty hormones shape brain development, helping to explain why some mental health disorders emerge in adolescence.
What could go wrong
This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It will not directly test any therapy, and results may take years to inform clinical practice.

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As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

    RECRUITING

    Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

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