Can trauma be inherited? scientists launch major study on families after tragedy
NCT ID NCT07203443
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looks at how trauma experienced by parents can affect their children, both biologically and behaviorally. Researchers will compare families directly exposed to a traumatic event with those who were not. Using brain scans, interviews, and tests, they aim to understand how trauma is transmitted and what helps families stay resilient.
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 could reveal how trauma is transmitted across generations and point to ways to build resilience in families.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It may not lead to direct interventions, and results may not apply to all types of trauma.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 960 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Dec 2024
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a government body.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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9 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Exposed group Children * Minor child born before November 13, 2015 * At least one parent was present at the scene of the attacks: criteria A1 (directly exposed to the event) or exposed to the event) or A2 (witnessed the event) of DSM-5 * With a good command of the French language (francophone) * Whose parents have given written consent for their child's their child's participation * At least one parent is covered by health insurance Parent 1 (and Parent 3) * Parent of child(ren) included * Directly exposed to the attacks: present at the scene of the attacks: criteria A1 (directly exposed to the event) or to the event) or A2 (witness to the event) of the DSM-5 * Good command of the French language * Affiliated with or benefiting from a social security scheme * Has given written consent Parent 2 * Parent of child(ren) included * Not exposed but whose spouse (or ex-spouse) was directly exposed to the attacks on a declarative basis * Have a good command of the French language * Affiliated with a social security scheme or beneficiary of such a scheme * Having given written consent Uncle/aunt * Not exposed, but has a brother or sister directly exposed to the attacks * Have a good command of the French language * Beneficiary of health insurance * Having given written consent Cousin * Minor child born before November 13, 2015 * Whose aunt or uncle was directly exposed to the attacks * Child with a good command of the French language * Who has given written consent * Whose parents with parental authority have given written consent for their child's their child's participation * Whose parent is affiliated to a social security scheme or is a beneficiary of such a scheme Unexposed group Child * Minor child born before November 13, 2015 * No relative (family or close friend) has been exposed to the attacks * With a good command of the French language * Whose parents have given their written consent for their child's their child's participation * One of whose parents is affiliated to or benefits from a social security scheme Parent 1 * Parent of child(ren) included * No exposure to the attacks and no close relative (family or close friend) exposed to the attacks attacks * No PTSD at the time of inclusion (PCL-5 \< 33) * Have a good command of the French language * Affiliated with or benefiting from a social security scheme * Having given written consent Parent 2 * Parent of included child(ren) * No exposure to terrorist attacks * With a good command of the French language * Affiliated with or benefiting from a social security scheme * Having given written consent Exclusion Criteria: For all children: * Loss of both parents following the events of November 13 * Presence of a history of severe neurological, mental or psychopathological disorders (epilepsy, head trauma with loss of consciousness of more than one hour, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, schizophrenia) * Persons subject to a legal protection measure (safeguard of justice, curatorship, guardianship) * Subject to a period of exclusion in the context of another research project * Refusal of the child to participate in research For children undergoing the on-site protocol: * Person with contraindications to MRI * For women of childbearing age, pregnancy in progress * Psychotropic products capable of modifying attention, vigilance and concentration taken less than 24 hours before questionnaires or examinations (sleeping pills and hypnotics, antipsychotics, mood regulators, antiepileptics and antihistamines). If in doubt about the patient's ability the patient's ability to postpone treatment, advice should be sought from the attending physician. in the case of antipsychotics and antiepileptics For all parents: * Presence of a history of neurological or neurodevelopmental disorders prior to the attacks except ADHD (epilepsy, head trauma with loss of consciousness of more than one hour, autism spectrum disorder autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, schizophrenia) * Persons subject to a legal protection measure (safeguard of justice, curatorship, guardianship) * Subject to a period of exclusion in the context of another research project * Parent's refusal to participate in research For parents carrying out the protocol on site: * Person with contraindications to MRI * For women of childbearing age, current or planned pregnancy * Psychotropic products capable of modifying attention, vigilance and concentration taken less than 24 hours before questionnaires or examinations (sleeping pills and hypnotics, antipsychotics, mood regulators, antiepileptics and antihistamines). If in doubt about the patient's ability the patient's ability to postpone treatment, advice should be sought from the attending physician. in the case of antipsychotics and antiepileptics
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Umr-S 1077 Nimh
RECRUITINGCaen, 14000, France
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.