Teens' brains scanned while using social media: a window into depression?
NCT ID NCT06817993
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study aims to create a more realistic brain-scan task that mimics social media interactions, like getting likes or comments. Researchers will scan the brains of 60 teens with depressive symptoms while they receive virtual peer feedback. The goal is to see how brain activity relates to their real-world social media use and mood over time.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- fMRI task with peer feedback (acceptance/rejection)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could provide a better understanding of how social media impacts teen mental health, potentially guiding future interventions.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage, small study (60 teens) focused on developing a task, not testing a treatment. Results may not apply broadly or lead to direct benefits.
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 60 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2025
- Expected to finish
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Mar 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
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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13 to 17 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.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Between ages 13-17 * Depression screening scores on the MFQ-C in the mild (MFQ = 12-25; N = 20) or moderate-to-severe range (MFQ ≥25; N=30) * Possess their own smartphone to complete web-based ecological momentary assessments (EMA) using WebDataExpress. * use social media apps (e.g. Instagram, twitter, reddit, discord, YouTube, etc.) at least 3 times a week, on average, per teen report Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of a serious neurological or medical condition, by parent report * Unable to read or speak English or cognitive impairment preventing ability to complete assessments. * Hearing impairment preventing ability to hear and understand instructions conveyed via headphones in the MRI scanner * Possible pregnancy, as determined by participant report * Presence of probable substance use disorder, as determined by participant report * Presence of MRI contraindications (e.g., dental braces, history of metallic foreign objects in body such as aneurysm clips or other devices or questionable history of metallic fragments, claustrophobia, or a weight of above 300 lbs) * Taking medications that affect the central nervous system other than antidepressants (stable dose allowed due to high rates of use among teens with depressive symptoms) or stimulants if required 36 hours before the scan. * Completion of Chatroom Interact Task or TBO Task in prior studies * Screening positive on the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire, or screening positive on the Youth Inventory-4/ for a potential psychotic disorder or substance use disorder.
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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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University of Pittsburgh
RECRUITINGPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States
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