Structural Racism, Reward Related Decision Making and Substance Use Risk
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
Age11-14
SponsorColumbia University
About this trial
The goal of this observational study, which has a pilot phase (R61) and a second, larger phase (R33), is to learn about the impact of indicators of structural racism (SR) on substance use risk in Puerto Rican adolescents living in the mainland US and in Puerto Rico. To do this, we will look at how indicators of SR relate to brain structure, brain function during reward-related choices, belief in a just world, and substance use risk indicators in Puerto Rican adolescents living in the mainland US (mostly in New York) and in Puerto Rico (mostly in San Juan). We are currently focused on the R61 (pilot) phase. This pilot phase aims to answer the question: Is there a relationship between indicators of SR and brain structure, brain function during reward-related decision making, and belief in a just world? If we are able to establish a relationship between SR indicators and outcomes, we will continue to the second phase of the study at that time.
We will be collecting data from a total of 72 adolescents and their parents; n=36 in NY; n=36 in PR). Participation in the research study will include: 1. an interview with the parent or caregiver (approximately 2.5 hours) regarding the child's demographics, mental health symptoms, past experiences, the parent or caregiver's relationship with the child, as well as cultural values and acculturation; 2. an interview with the child (approximately 2.5 hours) regarding the child's past experiences, their current beliefs, personality traits and mental health symptoms; 3. an MRI scan for the child including task-based, structural and resting-state functional connectivity (approximately 1 hour).
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
The adolescent participant is a biological or non-biological child of a member of the original Boricua Youth Study (BYS) sample.
The adolescent is between the ages of 11 to 14.5 at the time of recruitment, and 11 to <15 at the time of study participation.
If the parent/caregiver is not an original BYS member, they have provided a consent to contact form.
Parent/caregiver is between the ages of 18-64.5 at the time of recruitment and 18 to <65 at the time of study participation
Disqualifiers
Major neurological disorder (e.g. seizure disorder) or cognitive impairment (e.g., moderate to severe Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability)
Exclusion criteria for the MRI scan only: MRI contraindications (e.g., irremovable metal on the body, pacemaker, braces, etc.; pregnancy (while required by NYSPI).
Trial population
Puerto Rican adolescents living in the mainland US and in Puerto Rico, and a parent or caregiver of each adolescent.
Trial design
Design model
Cohort
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Treatments tested in this trial
Not listed
Trial groups
No trial groups listed
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Adolescent Brain Structure
Grey matter volume of superior frontal, dorsal lateral and medial prefrontal cortices
Time frame
Up to 3.5 hours2
Steeper Delay Discounting
The delay discounting k factor, a measure of how much perceived value is affected by delay in reward delivery
Time frame
Up to 3.5 hours3
Delay Discounting Related Brain Function
The brain will be more active for immediate vs delayed rewards in the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex, and the ventral striatum, and more active for delayed vs immediate rewards in the insula, while the anterior cingulate will track the value of the reward.
Time frame
Up to 3.5 hours4
Belief in a Just World
Score on the Belief in a Just World Scale (Dalbert, 1999)
Time frame
Up to 3.5 hoursSponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Columbia University
Lead sponsor
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov