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and treatment of mental illnesses.

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Children

A Family Study, What Impacts Mood, Sleep, and Energy?

Enrolling locally from the Washington, D.C. metro region

This research study is enrolling people to help us understand how physical activity, daily rhythms, and light affect mental health. 

A Study of Brain Function and Symptoms in Children with Severe Mood Dysregulation

Enrolling locally from the Washington, D.C. metro region

This observational research study seeks to describe the moods and behaviors of irritable children. Children who enroll in our studies have irritability that significantly impacts their functioning at home, in school, and with other children.

Anxiety and Attention and Emotional Memory

Enrolling locally from the Washington, D.C. metro region

This 12-week outpatient study seeks healthy children between the ages of 8 and 17 to participate in research on mood and anxiety disorders. The study investigates how the brain changes during computer-based training tasks, and how breathing patterns and emotions are related.

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Language Processing

Enrolling locally from the Washington, D.C. metro region

Researchers are studying the brain’s response to language and sound.

Comparing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to Severely Impairing Irritability: Investigations of Brain Function

Enrolling locally from the Washington, D.C. metro region

This observational research study seeks to learn about the differences between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and severely impairing irritability in children. Researchers will describe the moods and behaviors of children and investigate brain function and irritability. Children with ADHD are being invited to participate as a comparison group in a larger research protocol of children with severe irritability.

Finding Causes and Treating Depression in Teenagers

Enrolling locally from the Washington, D.C. metro region

This research study seeks to find causes and treatments of depression in teenagers. The study goals are to increase our knowledge of treatments for depression and understand how the brain changes when teenagers have depression. The study will also compare teenagers with depression to those without mental health diagnoses.

Help Us Understand Sleep Patterns in Young Children, ages 3 to 6

Enrolling locally from the Washington, D.C. metro region

Many parents have questions about what sleep should look like in childhood. Common concerns include how to know if their child is getting enough sleep or if their sleep schedule makes sense for their age and activity level. Some parents may also have concerns about the way their child sleeps, especially if their child has developmental delays or behavioral challenges.  

This research study is enrolling healthy children, ages 3 to 6, with or without developmental delays and/or behavioral challenges. 

How Does Puberty Affect Brain Development?

Enrolling locally from the Washington, D.C. metro region

Your healthy child age 8, 12, or 13 is invited to participate in an NIH outpatient research study that examines how puberty affects brain development.

Pediatric Mood and Anxiety Research

Enrolling locally from the Washington, D.C. metro region

This pediatric research study seeks to learn how the brain functions in children and adolescents with anxiety and/or depression. This study seeks boys and girls ages 8-17 to participate in research at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Research participation includes brain imaging and computer-based problem solving and memory tasks. Treatment is available over 12-weeks of outpatient visits. Parent and child must consent to participate.

Pediatric Sleep Device Research Study

Enrolling locally from the Washington, D.C. metro region

How is Your Child’s Sleep? While your child sleeps, wearable devices can learn about their health. NIH researchers are developing a wearable device that measures oxygen levels in children with and without sleep apnea.

Psychological Treatments for Youth with Severe Irritability

Enrolling locally from the Washington, D.C. metro region

Children who enroll in our studies have irritability that significantly impacts their functioning at home, in school, and with other children. These studies seek to find out whether certain research treatments can be effective for children who are very irritable.

TMS for Youth with Treatment-Resistant Major Depressive Disorder

Enrolling locally from the Washington, D.C. metro region

This research study seeks to learn more about a Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) device to treat depression in youth. 

Trisomy X Research Study of Children & Young Adults

Enrolling nationally from around the country

This research study will help all of us better understand behavior and mental health in children and young adults with Trisomy X. The study is currently enrolling children and young adults ages 6 to 25 with Trisomy X.