Neural Mechanisms of Real-world Emotions and Internalizing
Using High-stakes, Real-world Events to Map the Neural Dynamics Linked to Internalizing Disorders
2 other identifiers
interventional
144
1 country
1
Brief Summary
This study utilizes mobile health methods, including smartphone technology, subjective self-reports measures of emotion, behavioral tasks, functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), physiological measures of attention and arousal, and measures of health and social support to identify neural mechanisms associated with individual differences in the temporal course of emotional responses. The aim of this project is to utilize real-world and personally relevant events as stimuli to better understand how the temporal course of emotional responses relate to risk for developing mental disorders.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for not_applicable
Started Aug 2026
Longer than P75 for not_applicable
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
Study Start
First participant enrolled
August 24, 2026
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
October 16, 2026
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
October 23, 2026
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
November 30, 2030
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
November 30, 2030
October 23, 2026
October 1, 2026
4.3 years
October 16, 2026
October 22, 2026
Conditions
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Mean Duration of fMRI-Derived Negative Emotional Brain States
Mean duration, measured in seconds, of fMRI-derived negative emotional brain states identified using hidden Markov modeling of default mode and salience network activity during academic performance feedback assessments.
Baseline and end of academic semester (approximately 17 weeks)
Study Arms (1)
Participants Undergoing Academic Performance Feedback Assessments
EXPERIMENTALParticipants undergo up to six study visits during one academic semester, including baseline and post-examination MRI assessments. During MRI sessions, participants anticipate and receive actual midterm examination grades while neural and physiological responses are measured. Participants also complete repeated mobile mood assessments and self-report measures throughout the semester.
Interventions
Participants receive personally relevant academic performance feedback (actual midterm examination grades) during fMRI assessments. During each scan session, participants undergo a period of grade anticipation followed by disclosure of their exam grade while neural activity, physiological responses, and emotional experiences are assessed. The intervention is administered during repeated MRI sessions conducted over a single academic semester.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Individuals who are between 18 - 35 years old. \[Reason: to be able to provide informed consent, and to minimize variation in functional and structural differences in brain\]
- Individuals who are fluent English speakers. \[Reason: to understand study instructions \& questionnaires\]
- Smart phone access. \[Reason: to answer the questionnaires that are administered throughout the study.
You may not qualify if:
- Women who are pregnant or breast feeding and are no more than six months post-partum. \[Reason: may be unsafe for fetus, may affect outcome measure(s)\]
- Individuals who are excluded based on attached metal resonance Screening Form (Note: this form has already been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB for other protocols). \[Reason: necessary to participate in MRI research protocol\]
- Individuals whose BMI is above 35. \[Reason: must fit into fMRI scanner\]
- Individuals who have claustrophobia. \[Reason: to be able to stay in MRI scanner\]
- Individuals who are unable, in the judgment of the investigator, to comply with directions and/or tolerate the procedures required for participation in this trial. \[Reason: to be able to understand instructions and ensure safety\]
- Individuals who are unable to safely undergo MRI scanning. \[Reason: to be able to undergo MRI scanning\]
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- University of Miamilead
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)collaborator
Study Sites (1)
University of Miami
Coral Gables, Florida, 33146, United States
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Aaron S Heller, PhD
University of Miami
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- NA
- Masking
- NONE
- Purpose
- BASIC SCIENCE
- Intervention Model
- SINGLE GROUP
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Professor of Psychology
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
October 16, 2026
First Posted
October 23, 2026
Study Start
August 24, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
November 30, 2030
Study Completion (Estimated)
November 30, 2030
Last Updated
October 23, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-10
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will share
- Shared Documents
- STUDY PROTOCOL, ANALYTIC CODE
- Time Frame
- 1 year after study is completed
The proposed research will generate data including self-report, structured interviews, and FMRI measures from young adults. Data will be publicly shared via datalad.org within 1 year after data collection is completed. Data will be linked to one another and connected to code via github. This approach is the currently recommended approach by the Center for Reproducible Neuroscience at Stanford. Code will be uploaded to the lab's github page.