Actively Recruiting
Studies of Brain Function and Course of Illness in Pediatric Bipolar Disorder
Led by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) · Updated on 2026-05-01
2350
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This study seeks to learn more about the symptoms of severe mood dysregulation in children and adolescents ages 7-17. Children and adolescents with severe mood dysregulation (SMD) display chronic anger, sadness, or irritability, as well as hyperarousal (such as insomnia, distractibility, hyperactivity) and extreme responses to frustration (such as frequent, severe temper tantrums). Researchers will describe the moods and behaviors of children with these symptoms and use specialized testing and brain imaging to learn about the brain changes associated with this disorder....
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Studies of Brain Function and Course of Illness in Pediatric Bipolar Disorder
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Children aged 7 to 17 with DMDD or subthreshold DMDD, followed until age 25
- Abnormal mood (anger, sadness, irritability) present most days for at least 12 months
- Markedly increased reactivity to negative emotions causing frequent temper tantrums
- Symptoms start before age 10 and are severe in at least one setting
- Parents of children with DMDD or subthreshold DMDD who can perform tasks and speak English
- Healthy volunteer children and adults matched to patients, with a primary care physician and English speaking
- Children aged 11 to 17 with major depressive disorder meeting DSM criteria
- Children aged 8 to 17 with ADHD meeting DSM criteria, may have other specified psychiatric conditions
- Participants must have an identified primary care physician and speak English
You will not qualify if you...
- Presence of bipolar disorder symptoms such as elevated mood, grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, or manic episodes lasting more than one day
- Diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, or PTSD
- IQ less than 70
- Symptoms caused by drug abuse or medical/neurological conditions
- Currently pregnant or breastfeeding
- Alcohol or substance abuse within the last three months
- Parents with serious medical conditions or IQ less than 70
- Healthy volunteers with serious medical conditions, pregnancy, or history of psychiatric disorders listed
- History of sexual abuse for healthy volunteers
- Family history of bipolar disorder, recurrent major depression, or psychosis for healthy volunteers
- For ADHD group, exclusion includes ongoing medical illness other than ADHD, current major depression, and past or present manic episodes
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Melissa A Brotman, Ph.D.
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
6
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