Brain scans seek clues to Kids' severe mood swings
NCT ID NCT00025935
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Sep 18, 2026 · Updated 21 times
Summary
This study looks at children and teens ages 7-17 who have severe mood problems like chronic anger, sadness, or irritability, along with extreme tantrums. Researchers will use interviews, tests, and brain imaging to understand what happens in the brain. Up to 2,350 participants will take part to help describe these symptoms and find possible links to brain changes.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 2,350 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jan 2002
- Lead sponsor
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A government research agency
The lead sponsor is the US National Institutes of Health.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
There are 6 separate populations being studied in this protocol: 1.Children and adolescents between the ages of 7-17 years old who meet criteria for DMDD or subthreshold DMDD. 2.Parents of children and adolescents, who meet criteria for DMDD or subthreshold DMDD and are enrolled in 02-M-0021, and are 25-85 years old will be studied. 3.Healthy volunteer children and adolescents between the ages of 7-17 years old. 4.Healthy volunteer adults between the ages of 18-25 years old. 5.Children and adolescents between the ages of 12-17 years old who meet criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD). 6.Children and adolescents between the ages of 8-17 years who meet criteria for attention-deficit /hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who do not have a mood disorder.
- Ages
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7 to 85 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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: 1. Inclusion criteria for children with DMDD, subthreshold DMDD: 1.1.1 Ages 7-17 at the time of recruitment; will be followed in the longitudinal component of the study until age 25. 1.1.2 Abnormal mood (specifically, anger, sadness, and/or irritability), present at least half of the day most days (or at least half the day at least one day per week for subthreshold), and of sufficient severity to be noticeable by people in the child's environment (e.g. parents/caregivers, teachers, peers). 1.1.3 Compared to his/her peers, the child exhibits markedly increased reactivity to negative emotional stimuli that is manifest verbally or behaviorally. For example, the child responds to frustration with extended temper tantrums (inappropriate for age and/or precipitating event), verbal rages, and/or aggression toward people or property. Such events occur, on average, at least three times a week. For subthreshold DMDD such tantrums occur on average at least once per month. 1.1.4 The symptoms in # 1.1.2, and 1.1.3 above are currently present and have been present for at least 12 months without any symptom-free periods exceeding three months. 1.1.5 The onset of symptoms must be prior to age 10 years. 1.1.6 For DMDD the symptoms are severe in at least in one setting (e.g. violent outbursts, assaultiveness at home, school, or with peers) and at least mild (distractibility, intrusiveness) in a second setting. For subthreshold DMDD, there must be evidence of impairment causing distress to the child or to those around him/her in at least one setting. 2. Caregivers of children and adolescents with DMDD or subthreshold DMDD enrolled in 02-M-0021 2.1.1. Are capable of performing behavioral tasks and/or scanning. 2.1.2. Speaks English 3. Healthy Volunteer (Control) Children 3.1.1. Control subjects will be group matched to the patients. 3.1.2. Have an identified primary care physician. 3.1.3. Speaks English 4. Healthy Volunteer Adults 4.1.1 Control subjects will be group matched to the patients. 4.1.2. They will have normal physical and neurological examinations by history or checklist 4.1.3. Have an identified primary care physician. 4.1.4 Speaks English 5. Children with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Inclusion criteria (all must be met): 5.1.1 Ages 11-17 at the time of recruitment; will be followed in the longitudinal component of the study until age 25. 5.1.2. DSM-IV or DSM-5 Major Depressive Disorder 5.1.2.1 Five or more of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure. 5.1.2.1.1 Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feeling sad, blue, "down in the dumps," or empty) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful or about to cry). (In children and adolescents, this may present as an irritable or cranky, rather than sad, mood.) 5.1.2.1.2 Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities every day, such as no interest in hobbies, sports, or other things the person used to enjoy doing. 5.1.2.1.3. Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5 percent of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. 5.1.2.1.4. Insomnia (inability to get to sleep or difficulty staying asleep) or hypersomnia (sleeping too much) nearly every day 5.1.2.1.5. Psychomotor agitation (e.g., restlessness, inability to sit still, pacing, pulling at clothes or clothes) or retardation (e.g., slowed speech, movements, quiet talking) nearly every day 5.1.2.1.6. Fatigue, tiredness, or loss of energy nearly every day (e.g., even the smallest tasks, like dressing or washing, seem difficult to do and take longer than usual). 5.1.2.1.7. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day (e.g., ruminating over minor past failings). 5.1.2.1.8. Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (e.g. appears easily distracted, complains of memory difficulties). 5.1.2.1.9. Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideas without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide 5.1.2.1.10 Symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational/academic, or other important areas of functioning. 5.1.2.1.11. The episode is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance or to another medical condition. 5.1.3. Youth with MDD who are continuing in research as adults must also be receiving psychiatric care for their MDD, if it is ongoing 6. Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 6.1.1. Age 8-17 6.1.2. Currently meets DSM-IV or DSM-5 criteria for ADHD 6.1.3. Subjects with other primary psychiatric disorders including anxiety disorders, dysthymic disorder, past major depression, oppositional defiant disorder, tic disorders, and the learning, communication, and elimination disorders may be accepted 6.1.4. Have an identified primary care physician. 6.1.5. Speaks English EXCLUSION CRITERIA: 1.3 Exclusion criteria for those with DMDD: 1.3.1 The individual exhibits any of these cardinal bipolar symptoms: 1.3.1.1 Elevated or expansive mood 1.3.1.2 Grandiosity or inflated self-esteem 1.3.1.3 Decreased need for sleep 1.3.1.4 Increase in goal-directed activity (this can result in the excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences) 1.3.1.5. Has BD symptoms in distinct periods lasting more than 1 day. 1.3.2. Meets criteria for schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective illness, PDD, or PTSD. 1.3.3. IQ\< 70 1.3.4. The symptoms are due to the direct physiological effects of a drug of abuse, or to a general medical or neurological condition. 1.3.5. Currently pregnant or lactating 1.3.6. Meets criteria for alcohol or substance abuse with the last three months 2\. Exclusion of caregivers of children and adolescents with DMDD or subthreshold DMDD 2.1 Have an I.Q. \< 70 2.2 Have any serious medical condition or condition that interferes with participation 3.2 Healthy Volunteer (Control) Children: 3.2.1. I.Q. \< 70; 3.2.2. Any serious medical condition or condition that interferes with fMRI or MEG/EEG scanning, or fNIRS, pregnant or lactating; 3.2.3. Past or current diagnosis of any anxiety disorder (panic disorder, GAD, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia), mood disorder (manic or hypomanic episode, major depression), OCD, PTSD, Conduct Disorder, psychosis, current suicidal ideation, Tourette Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder or ADHD. 3.2.4. Substance abuse within two months prior to study participation or present substance abuse 3.2.5. History of sexual abuse. 3.2.6. Parent or sibling with Bipolar Disorder, recurrent MDD, or any disorder with psychosis. 4.2 Healthy Volunteer Adults: 4.2.1. IQ\< 70 4.2.2. Pregnant 4.2.3. Any past or current history of Bipolar Disorder (any manic or hypomanic episode), recurrent MDD, or any disorder with psychosis 5.3 Exclusion criteria for those with MDD: 5.3.1 The individual exhibits any of these cardinal bipolar symptoms: 5.3.1.1 Elevated or expansive mood 5.3.1.2 Grandiosity or inflated self-esteem 5.3.1.3 Decreased need for sleep 5.3.1.4 Increase in goal-directed activity (this can result in the excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences) 5.3.1.5. Has BD symptoms in distinct periods lasting more than 1 day. 5.3.2. Meets criteria for schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective illness, PDD, or PTSD. 5.3.3. IQ\< 70 5.3.4. The symptoms are due to the direct physiological effects of a drug of abuse, or to a general medical or neurological condition. 5.3.5. Currently pregnant or lactating 5.3.6. Meets criteria for alcohol or substance abuse with the last three months 6.2. Exclusion criteria for those with ADHD: 6.2.1. IQ\<70 6.2.2. Pregnancy 6.2.3. Ongoing medical illness or neurological disorder other than ADHD 6.2.4. Any condition that would interfere with the participants' ability to perform research tasks 6.2.5. Current Major Depression 6.2.6. Any past or present manic or hypomanic episode
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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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National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
RECRUITINGBethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
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