Inhibitory Mechanisms of Negative Urgency in Adolescent Suicidal Behavior and Neurometabolite Markers of Suicide-Related Cognition in Adolescents
Based on our previous research, we think that there are differences in how nerves in the brain signal each other in teenagers who have experienced suicidal thoughts and behaviors, compared to both teenagers who have depression without suicidal thoughts and behaviors and teenagers with no mental health concerns.
This study uses multiple approaches to understand how brain functions correspond to thoughts and behaviors in adolescents aged 13-21. Adolescents with depression who have ever had either 1) thoughts about suicide, or 2) suicidal behaviors (either a suicide attempt or a planned attempt that was stopped before it began), can participate. Parental permission is needed for participants aged 17 or younger.
Participants in the study complete the following activities:
Clinical interviews and questionnaires: Volunteers in our studies talk to a member of the study team and answer written questions, which helps us to learn about adolescents' emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and symptoms.
Safety planning: Volunteers in the study work with the study team to create a detailed personal safety plan that they can use in a crisis.
Behavioral tasks: Volunteers play computer games that measure how impulsively a person reacts, how they solve problems, or how quickly they connect different types of thoughts and ideas.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI scans of the brain allow us to measure brain activity and connections between different networks in the brain, as well as measure the chemicals (neurotransmitters) that allow brain cells to communicate with one another.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): TMS uses a magnet placed outside the head to generate a magnetic field that stimulates networks of nerves in the brain. We can measure how the brain responds using measurements of brain waves and nerve signals. This allows us to learn about how nerves in the brain communicate with each other.
Participation takes place during three visits over the course of 12 months. The first visit typically takes about 7 hours, which can be split into more than one session. The second and third visits (6 and 12 months after the first visit) are about 3.5 hours each. Some study activities will occur on the University of Minnesota campus, and some may be completed remotely. Participants will receive compensation of $150 for their time after completing the first study visit, and $75 for their time after completing each of the second and third visits (total compensation of $300 for completing all visits).
Interested in participating or learning more?
Email [email protected], or scan the QR code below to complete a brief survey so that the study team can contact you.
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