RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06289010

Neural Mechanisms of Family-Focused Treatment for Youth Depression

Neural Mechanisms of Evidence-Based, Family-Focused Treatment for Youth Depression: Preliminary Open Trial

Sponsor

Boston University Charles River Campus

Enrollment

80 participants

Start Date

Aug 20, 2024

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Childhood Depression

Summary

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

Eligibility

Min Age: 7 YearsMax Age: 12 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is investigating the brain mechanisms underlying a family-focused therapy for depression in children aged 7–12, and whether the therapy changes brain activity related to emotion regulation. **You may be eligible if...** - Your child is between 7 and 12 years old - Your child either has a diagnosis of depression (or a related depressive disorder) OR has no mental health diagnosis (healthy comparison group) - You are the biological parent or grandparent acting as a parent and have lived with the child for most of their life - You are willing to participate in therapy sessions and brain scans **You may NOT be eligible if...** - Your child has autism, active psychosis, or current substance dependence - The parent is currently pregnant - The parent or child has a condition that would interfere with MRI or participation Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALFamily-Focused Treatment for Childhood-Depression (FFT-CD)

This intervention includes 12 one-hour, in-person sessions. FFT-CD was designed to help families gain skills to combat depression and create ways of interacting that protect the child from the negative sequelae of stress. Within a broad psychoeducational framework, interpersonal factors impacting youth depression and the interplay of mood and interpersonal interactions are emphasized. Participants are taught to identify Upward Spirals - positive interactions fueling positive moods leading further upward - and Downward Spirals - negative interactions fueling negative moods leading further downward. The treatment rationale is "to stop downward spirals and to start upward spirals"; this idea provides a foundation for skills building to help the child and family better navigate stress. Handouts, role-playing, behavioral rehearsal, and homework assignments are all used to help shape behaviors.

Locations(2)

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Athinoula A. Martinos Imaging Center at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States

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NCT06289010