Neural Mechanisms of Family-Focused Treatment for Youth Depression
Eligible age
7–12 yrs
Accepts
All genders
Locations
1 state
Healthy volunteers
Yes
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About this study
The goal of this interventional study is to compare the baseline neural mechanisms and parenting in depressed and non-depressed children and to examine baseline neural mechanisms and parenting as predictors of Family-Focused Treatment for Childhood-Depression (FFT-CD) outcomes. The main questions it aims to answer are: * What are differences between depressed and non-depressed participants on baseline neural and parenting indicators? * Do baseline neural and parenting indicators predict response to FFT-CD? * Does change in parenting and neural functioning mediate change in depression from baseline to follow-up? Participants will: * complete baseline clinical measures * complete neuroimaging tasks via Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMR) * undergo a 12-session course of FFT-CD * complete follow up evaluations and neuroimaging
Sponsor: Boston University Charles River Campus
You may qualify if…
- ✓ Children must:
- ✓ Have a current DSM-5 diagnosis of MDD, Persistent DD, or DDNOS (based on K-SADS-PL) OR not meet criteria for any DSM-5 mental health diagnosis (based on K-SADS-PL)
- ✓ Be ages 7-12
- ✓ Be living with a parent(s) or guardian willing to participate
- ✓ Be able and willing to provide informed consent/assent
- ✓ Parent must:
- ✓ Not be currently pregnant
- ✓ Be able to read, understand consent forms, and provide consent on their child's behalf
You may not qualify if…
- ✕ Thought or other disturbance in the child that would interfere with the ability to participate in treatment or assessments (e.g., psychotic disorder, autism spectrum disorder, OCD, active substance abuse/dependence, intellectual disability, as assessed on KSADS-PL)
- ✕ Severe conduct disorders in the child that threaten the home stability (e.g. juvenile justice or children's protective service involvement as assessed on KSADS-PL) due to the potential impact on retention
- ✕ Youth or primary caregivers do not speak English
- ✕ Either parent or child has contraindications for neuroimaging (e.g., claustrophobia, metal implants, braces, electronically, magnetically, or mechanically activated devices such as cochlear implants)
- ✕ The child is on an antidepressant medication, as it may complicate neuroimaging interpretation.
Where it's recruiting
Boston · Charlestown
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT06289010 · last updated 2026-07-20