BDLONG Study – Healthy Teens Ages 13-17

STUDY BASICS

Are you the parent of an emotionally and physically healthy child aged 13-17? Your child may be able to participate in a research study to learn more about brain networks. Eligible participants take no medications for mood, anxiety, or ADHD. Participation involves undergoing 4 fMRI scans over 9 months. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Bipolar disorder is an illness associated with extreme mood changes, from manic episodes of very high energy to the extreme lows of depression. Some evidence suggests that people with bipolar disorder may experience more changes in brain networks over time than people without the disorder, but researchers do not fully understand this relationship.

 

The purpose of this study is to learn more about changes in brain networks over time in children with and without bipolar disorder. Researchers hope their findings lead to better ways to identify and treat mental health disorders in the future.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD?

• Ages 13-17
• Emotionally and physically healthy
• Do not take any medications for mood, anxiety, or ADHD
• Able and willing to undergo MRI scanning (not claustrophobic; no non-removable metal in the body)
• Do not have any first-degree relative (parent or sibling) who has bipolar disorder

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Study participation involves five visits. The initial 1-2 hour visit will take place online via HIPPA-compliant Zoom videoconferencing and will involve answering questions about your child’s mental health. Eligible children will be invited to come in for 4 fMRI neuroimaging visits over 9 months and will also complete questionnaires. During each neuroimaging scan, your child will watch a movie and complete a task. Each scan will last about 60 minutes, and the entire visit should be less than 90 minutes. fMRI scans are not invasive and do not involve the use of radiation.