Adolescent Mood During Puberty and Testosterone

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Adolescent Depression

In brief

Starting at puberty, female adolescents are nearly three-times more likely to develop internalizing disorders, like depression, while male adolescents are two-times more likely to develop externalizing disorders, like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This divergence between the sexes during puberty suggests sex-specific pathways of risk and differential effects of sex hormones. The purpose of this research is to determine: 1) sex-specific neural and endocrine features of the pubertal transition that may mediate sex differences in adolescent mood disorders, and 2) the neurophysiological basis of susceptibility to hormone change during puberty.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT06072677
Run by: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
People needed: 60
Starts: 2023-08-24
Expected to finish: 2027-12-01
Last updated by the study team: 2026-01-14

Who can join

Age: 11 and older, up to 14. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

Between the ages of 11 and 14
Have their own personal mobile device and capability to download the MyCap and Healthy Minds apps
Experienced a stressful life event within the last year, or endorse moderate depression (defined by a CES-DC score 16 or higher)

You may not qualify if…

Previous experience with the Healthy Minds Program
Regular meditation practice
Current or history of manic episodes, psychotic symptoms, or current suicidal intent
Taking any form of exogenous hormones or intrauterine device (IUD) within one month of participation in the study
Taking medications that directly alter cardiovascular or neurological function

Where it is running

Carolina Crossing B, Suite 1 — Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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