Recruiting

Emotional Responses

Sponsor:

University of Miami

Code:

NCT07891624

Conditions

Major Depression

Generalized Anxiety

Emotions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 35

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Interventions

Academic Performance Feedback

Study Details

Brief summary:

This study utilizes mobile health methods, including smartphone technology, subjective self-reports measures of emotion, behavioral tasks, functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), physiological measures of attention and arousal, and measures of health and social support to identify neural mechanisms associated with individual differences in the temporal course of emotional responses. The aim of this project is to utilize real-world and personally relevant events as stimuli to better understand how the temporal course of emotional responses relate to risk for developing mental disorders.

Conditions

Major Depression

Generalized Anxiety

Emotions

Study ID

NCT07891624

Start date

Aug 24, 2026

Status verified date

Oct, 2026

Completion date

Nov 30, 2030

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Nov 30, 2030

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 35

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Individuals who are between 18 - 35 years old. \[Reason: to be able to provide informed consent, and to minimize variation in functional and structural differences in brain\]
  • Individuals who are fluent English speakers. \[Reason: to understand study instructions \& questionnaires\]
  • Smart phone access. \[Reason: to answer the questionnaires that are administered throughout the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Women who are pregnant or breast feeding and are no more than six months post-partum. \[Reason: may be unsafe for fetus, may affect outcome measure(s)\]
  • Individuals who are excluded based on attached metal resonance Screening Form (Note: this form has already been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB for other protocols). \[Reason: necessary to participate in MRI research protocol\]
  • Individuals whose BMI is above 35. \[Reason: must fit into fMRI scanner\]
  • Individuals who have claustrophobia. \[Reason: to be able to stay in MRI scanner\]
  • Individuals who are unable, in the judgment of the investigator, to comply with directions and/or tolerate the procedures required for participation in this trial. \[Reason: to be able to understand instructions and ensure safety\]
  • Individuals who are unable to safely undergo MRI scanning. \[Reason: to be able to undergo MRI scanning\]

Study Design

Enrollment

144 participants

Anticipated

Intervention Model

Single group

Primary purpose

Basic Science

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Participants Undergoing Academic Performance Feedback Assessments

Participants undergo up to six study visits during one academic semester, including baseline and post-examination MRI assessments. During MRI sessions, participants anticipate and receive actual midterm examination grades while neural and physiological responses are measured. Participants also complete repeated mobile mood assessments and self-report measures throughout the semester.

Interventions

Academic Performance Feedback

Participants receive personally relevant academic performance feedback (actual midterm examination grades) during fMRI assessments. During each scan session, participants undergo a period of grade anticipation followed by disclosure of their exam grade while neural activity, physiological responses, and emotional experiences are assessed. The intervention is administered during repeated MRI sessions conducted over a single academic semester.

Primary outcome measure

  • Mean Duration of fMRI-Derived Negative Emotional Brain States [ Time Frame: Baseline and end of academic semester (approximately 17 weeks) ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Aaron S Heller, PhD

305-284-9498axh825@miami.edu

Locations

University of Miami

Recruiting

Coral Gables, Florida, United States, 33146

Contacts

Aaron S Heller, PhD

305-284-9498axh825@miami.edu

Principal Investigator:

Aaron Heller, PhD

More Information

Sponsor

University of Miami

Last update posted

Oct 23, 2026

Last verified

Oct, 2026

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-10-24. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Miami on 2026-10-23. Recruitment status is synced daily from ClinicalTrials.gov and may not reflect the sponsor's current status. Confirm during your call.