Investigating the Impacts of Early Life Experience on the Brain & Behaviour

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER · Feb 6, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how experiences in early life, like stress or parental separation, can affect our brains, behavior, and overall health later on. Researchers want to understand why some people struggle with mental health issues as adults, such as anxiety or depression, based on their early experiences. The ultimate goal is to find ways to identify young people who might need support before problems develop, ensuring they get help when it’s most needed.

To participate in this study, you need to be between 18 and 24 years old, live in Greater Manchester, and have grown up with your birth parents. You should not currently be in school or hold a university degree. Participants will take part in activities like psychological assessments, brain imaging, and online games, which will help researchers gather important information about how early life experiences shape our mental health and brain development. It's also important to note that individuals who have experienced certain types of childhood trauma or are currently dealing with specific mental health diagnoses are not eligible for this study.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age 18-24
• • Reside in Greater Manchester
• • You are 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 the assessment procedures described below (independently or with reading support from a researcher, friend or family member)
• • Able to read text on a computer screen (using glasses or contact lenses if required)
• * To sign up for this study one or more of the following statements should apply to you:
• • 1. I am not currently in education employment or training, or I am unemployed.
• • 2. I receive benefits from the Government e.g., housing benefits, universal credit, personal independent payment (PIP), disability benefit, job seekers allowance.
• • 3. I am currently struggling due mental health problems or neurodiversity (e.g., depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism, eating disorder)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • You were looked after by the local authority (e.g., foster, kinship care or residential children's home) or adopted during childhood.
• • Any experience of childhood trauma (including neglect, physical/verbal abuse, sexual abuse or exposure to domestic violence).
• • Your family required input from social services due to child protection concerns.
• • You are experiencing symptoms of and have been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), borderline personality disorder (BPD), Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD).