GIRLS Brain Study

STUDY BASICS

Do you have an 11-13 year old daughter who is healthy, but sometimes hesitant? Are you and your daughter interested in participating in a research study about girls’ emotions and social interactions? If so, you may be able to help researchers learn more about how girls’ brains respond to different situations. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to examine how girls’ brains respond to emotions and social interactions. Researchers hope to learn how ways of dealing with emotions and social situations are associated with development and psychological adjustment in adolescent girls, including the development of problems with anxiety or depression.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD?

• Female child age 11 to 13
• Free of metal in her body (dental fillings are OK)
• One parent/primary caregiver willing to participate

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Study participation requires several visits over the course of three years. During the first visit, you and your child will be asked to complete an interview, questionnaires and activities. Your daughter will also complete computerized tasks while undergoing an fMRI brain scan. An fMRI scan is an imaging technique for measuring brain function. fMRI is non-invasive and does not involve radiation. At home following the visit, your daughter will answer a daily questionnaire on a study-provided smartphone for two weeks and provide saliva samples. This entire process completed during the first visit will be repeated two years later. At year three, you and your daughter will have a final visit to complete a follow-up interview and questionnaires. This study does not involve any medications or treatments.