RightFit
Not yet recruitingNot applicable

Neural Correlates of Suicidal Behavior in Youth

Neural Correlates of Suicidal Behavior in Youth: a Pre and Post CAMS Therapy Neuroimaging Study

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
14 Years to 24 Years
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

  • Procedures mentioned: MRI scans, Interviews

Only what the study's summary and detailed description on ClinicalTrials.gov say. Time periods may describe the whole study or a part of it — ask the study team what applies to you.

Show the study's own words
  • "All participants will undergo advanced neuroimaging, including magnetoencephalography (MEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), along with comprehensive psychiatric assessments."
  • "All participants will complete baseline assessments including structured psychiatric interviews and validated rating scales measuring depression, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and overall functioning."
  • "Neuroimaging will include magnetoencephalography (MEG) to measure real-time brain activity and MRI-based techniques such as resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and task-based imaging focused on episodic future thinking."
Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study looks at brain activity linked to suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts in people ages 14–24, including healthy volunteers. It uses brain scans to study suicide risk and changes after CAMS, a talk therapy where patients and clinicians work together to address suicidal thoughts.

This study, titled "Neural Correlates of Suicidal Behavior in Youth: a Pre and Post CAMS Therapy Neuroimaging Study," aims to better understand the brain mechanisms underlying suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescents and young adults (ages 14-24). Suicide is a leading cause of death in this population, and current clinical approaches often fail to accurately predict or prevent suicidal behavior. This study seeks to identify objective neurobiological markers associated with suicide risk and treatment response. Participants will be divided into three groups: (1) high-risk individuals recently hospitalized following a suicide attempt, (2) medium-risk individuals with chronic suicidal ideation but no attempts, and (3) low-risk healthy controls. All participants will undergo advanced neuroimaging, including magnetoencephalography (MEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), along with comprehensive psychiatric assessments. The study focuses on brain regions and networks implicated in suicidality, including the anterior cingulate cortex and salience network, as well as neurochemical markers such as glutamate. It also examines electrophysiological activity and functional connectivity patterns associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. High-risk participants will receive an evidence-based psychotherapy called the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS). This therapeutic approach emphasizes collaboration between patient and clinician to identify and address the underlying drivers of suicidal thoughts, with a focus on increasing hope and reducing psychological distress. Neuroimaging and clinical assessments will be repeated after completion of CAMS to evaluate treatment-related changes. The study's primary goals are to: * Identify neural and electrophysiological correlates of suicide risk. * Distinguish biological differences between individuals with suicidal ideation and those who have attempted suicide. * Determine how CAMS therapy affects brain function and neurochemistry. By integrating clinical and neurobiological data, this research aims to improve understanding of suicidality, enhance risk prediction, and inform more effective, personalized interventions for at-risk youth.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • You must be 14–24 years old and fit one of the three groups below.
  • High-risk group: You were admitted for mental health care because of a suicide attempt, or you have made two previous suicide attempts.
  • Medium-risk group: You have had suicidal thoughts for the past year but have never attempted suicide.
  • Low-risk group: You have no past suicidal thoughts or actions, no mental health history or medicines, and no family history of suicide.
  • You must understand the study and be willing to sign a form agreeing to take part.
  • You must speak English.

Who can't join

  • You have autism or do not communicate by speaking.
  • You have a moderate or severe intellectual disability, described as an IQ below 70 and full-time special education classes.
  • You have schizophrenia or have ever had psychosis, which means losing touch with reality.
  • In the six months before screening, you had a positive urine test for PCP, cocaine, or amphetamines. Prescribed amphetamines for ADHD are allowed.
  • You have had a moderate or severe drug or alcohol use disorder in the past six months.
  • You are pregnant or breastfeeding, or you are in the custody of Children's Services.
  • You recently had bone, tendon, spine, or joint surgery, or received metal dental implants.
  • You weigh less than 30 kg (about 66 pounds) or more than 200 kg (about 441 pounds).

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Subjects must be 14-24 years old * Subjects must be: * High Risk Subjects: Psychiatrically admitted due to a suicide attempt or history of 2 previous suicide attempts * Medium Risk Subjects: Suicide ideation for the past year with no suicide attempt * Minimal Risk Subjects: No previous history of suicidal ideation or behavior, not taking any psychiatric history or medication, and no family history of suicide * Subjects must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent/assent document * Subjects must be English speaking Exclusion Criteria: * Subjects with known history of Autism Spectrum Disorder; non-verbal patients * Subjects with moderate or severe intellectual disability (IQ less than 70 and those patients in special education classes full time) * Subjects with Schizophrenia or history of any type of psychosis including mood related psychosis and brief reactive psychosis * Within 6 months before initial screening, urine toxicology positive for phencyclidine, cocaine or amphetamines (subjects prescribed amphetamines for the management of ADHD will not be excluded) * Subjects with a history of moderate or severe substance or alcohol use per DSM-5 criteria in the past 6 months * Subjects who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding * Subjects in custody of Children's Services * Subjects with recent bone, tendon, spine or joint surgery * Subjects with recent metallic dental implants * Subjects weighing less than 30 kg or more than 200 kg

Study sites (1)

OH