Actively Recruiting
Effects of Early Trauma on Neurocognitive Development and Mental Health
Led by University of Manchester · Updated on 2025-02-12
120
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
104 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how early life experiences affect the brain, behavior, and immune system later in life. The study focuses on understanding why certain early events like adoption, stress, or parental separation can lead to difficulties in adulthood. The goal is to develop tools that identify young people at risk of future problems to provide timely support. Participants will take part in psychological assessments, online games, brain imaging, and blood sampling. The study includes telephone or video screening, online questionnaires and games, a face-to-face MRI brain scan and blood test, and interviews or questionnaires about mental health and childhood experiences. Some parts can be done remotely. Participants will complete questionnaires on demographics, mental health, and personality, as well as online games assessing memory and attention. Brain scans and blood tests will be done in person, and interviews or memory games may be done in person or remotely. The study measures mental health prevalence, neurodevelopmental conditions, and brain processing differences related to childhood trauma, along with employment and education outcomes.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Investigating the Impacts of Early Life Experience on the Brain & Behaviour
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 18 to 24 years
- Reside in Greater Manchester
- Not enrolled on a university degree course and do not hold a university degree qualification
- Lived with one or both birth parents throughout childhood
- Able to travel to the University of Manchester
- Able to understand the study information and participate in assessments (independently or with support)
- Able to read text on a computer screen (with glasses or contact lenses if needed)
- Meets one or more of the following: currently not in education, employment or training; receives government benefits; or is struggling due to mental health or neurodiversity conditions
You will not qualify if you...
- Looked after by local authority or adopted during childhood
- Any experience of childhood trauma including neglect, physical, verbal or sexual abuse, or exposure to domestic violence
- Family required social services input due to child protection concerns
- Diagnosed with and experiencing symptoms of PTSD, borderline personality disorder, or emotionally unstable personality disorder
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 telephone/video call (20 minutes)
Duration - Approximately 3 hours
Participants complete online questionnaires and games assessing demographics, medical and mental health history, personality traits, memory, impulsivity, attention, face recognition, and social interaction.
Completed remotely online
Duration - Approximately 2 hours
Participants visit the study site for an MRI brain scan and a blood test to assess brain function and immune system markers.
1 in-person visit
Duration - 1.5 to 3 hours
Participants undergo interviews about mental health history and relationships, complete trauma-related questionnaires, and participate in a short emotional memory game. These can be done in person or remotely.
1 to 2 sessions (in-person or remote)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Faculty of Biology Medicine & Health, University of Manchester
Manchester, United Kingdom, M13 9SS
Actively Recruiting
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
2
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