Brain Functioning in Typically-Developing and At-Risk Teens
Research type
Research Study
Full title
RESTART: Researching Cognitive and Brain Functioning in Typically-Developing and At-Risk Teens
IRAS ID
152415
Contact name
Ray Dolan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UCL
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
14/LO/1162, REC (London Bloomsbury)
Research summary
This study aims to examine the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive functioning in young people who have, or are at-risk of developing conduct disorder and/or serious self-harming behaviours. We plan to use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to distinguish the brain mechanisms related to cognitive functioning in at-risk versus typically-developing youth. MRI is a sensitive but non-invasive method for studying brain function and is thus suitable for use with clinical populations. We will examine brain activity associated with interrelated functions that are thought to be important in conduct disturbance, including reward and punishment sensitivity, empathy and trust. Each of these functions has been implicated in conduct problems and – in typically developing population – activates an established set of neural systems.
A secondary aspect of this study is to examine the changes that take place in brain functioning as a result of multi-systemic therapy in young people with severe conduct problems. Multi-systemic therapy is a comprehensive package of care for at-risk youth. Multi-systemic therapy has previously been found to be effective in reducing offending rates, and aggressive, antisocial behaviour. Using a population of antisocial youth who have received multi-systemic therapy in the past two years versus those who have not received multi-systemic therapy, we will be able to compare brain mechanisms as a result of therapeutic intervention.
The third aspect to this study is to examine changes in brain function that occur as a result of development over time. We will invite participants for one or more follow-up sessions, in order to track the neural and cognitive changes that occur in typically developing, and at-risk youth. We are not providing any form of intervention between the initial and follow-up sessions, but are interested in normal, maturational changes during the course of adolescence in young people with various risks for developing psychopathology in adulthood.
REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1162
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion