Inhibitory Mechanisms of Negative Urgency in Adolescent Suicidal Behavior

Summary

The goal of this study is to understand why some people act more impulsively when feeling negative emotions, which is called negative urgency. The researchers hope to understand how negative urgency relates to the way networks of brain cells communicate with one another. The researchers will measure negative urgency and brain signals in adolescents aged 13-21 years with depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Whether a type of brain signaling called cortical inhibition is related to negative urgency
* Whether depressed adolescents with suicidal behavior have more problems with cortical inhibition than depressed adolescents with suicidal thoughts only
* Whether the relationship between negative urgency and cortical inhibition changes over time

Adolescents who participate in the study will complete the following activities at the time they join the study, as well as 6 months and 12 months later:

* Interviews with researchers and questionnaires to learn about their thoughts, emotions, and symptoms
* A questionnaire about impulsive behaviors and negative urgency
* Computerized games that measure brain functions
* An MRI scan of the brain
* Transcranial magnetic stimulation with electroencephalography (TMS-EEG), a way to measure how brain cells communicate (cortical inhibition) using a magnet placed outside of the head and recording brain signals

Conditions

• Suicidal Behavior
• Suicidal Ideation
• Negative Urgency
• Cortical Inhibition
• Depression

Interventions

OTHER

Single-/paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation

Single-/paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sp/ppTMS) is a technique for noninvasive assessment of brain physiology by delivering single or paired magnetic stimuli to the scalp with an electromagnetic coil. This results in transient induction of cortical electrical activity, which can be measured as evoked potentials by electromyography (EMG) and electroencephalography (EEG). Note that sp/ppTMS is used for neurophysiologic measurements; it is distinct from other TMS applications such as repetitive TMS, which can be used as interventions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

  collaborator NIH

• University of Minnesota

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Kathryn Cullen, MD · University of Minnesota

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

13 Years

Max Age

21 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-05-25

Primary Completion

2028-01-31

Completion

2028-01-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations