Social StressNCT04211155
Neural Correlates of the Shift in Social Buffering of Social Evaluative Threat
A study testing Questionnaires and MRI in people with Social Stress and Adolescent Behavior, run by University of Minnesota at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this experiment is to determine the mechanisms through which parental buffering of stress physiology in response to social evaluative threat diminishes with pubertal development and whether this diminution of effectiveness extends to social buffering by peers (best friends) and/or other unfamiliar… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 11 to 14 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Social Stress, Adolescent Behavior
- What is being tested?
- Questionnaires and MRI
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 208 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 18 Oct 2019to 24 Jun 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 11 to 14 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- sufficient vision to complete assent and study procedures
- sufficient hearing to complete assent and study procedures
- sufficient language skills to provide verbal and written assent
Who cannot join
- Premature birth (less than 37 weeks)
- congenital and/or chromosomal disorders (e.g. cerebral palsy, FAS, mental retardation, Turner Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Fragile X)
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- history of serious medical illness (e.g., cancer, organ transplant)
- youth taking systemic glucocorticoids
- youth taking beta-adrenergic medications
Show all 11Show fewer
- diagnoses of psychiatric illness, seizure disorder or other neurological disorders
- contraindications for MRI (implanted medical device; presence of non-removal metal in or on the body, including piercings, orthodontic braces or certain permanent retainers)
- known pregnancy
- tattoos
- history of significant claustrophobia
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455
About this study
Official title: Neural Correlates of the Shift in Social Buffering of Social Evaluative Threat in 11-14 Year Olds
The purpose of this experiment is to determine the mechanisms through which parental buffering of stress physiology in response to social evaluative threat diminishes with pubertal development and whether this diminution of effectiveness extends to social buffering by peers (best friends) and/or other unfamiliar social partners (e.g., experimenters).
Read the detailed description
On visit one, the participant will 1) be seen by a nurse who will complete a pubertal assessment exam, 2) complete questionnaires, including ones on pubertal development, screening for MRI safety, and quality of relations with parents and friends. The participant will also have a chance to experience a simulated MRI in order to determine whether they will be comfortable in an actual MRI.
Within 2 weeks the participant will return to the University where undergo the following protocol. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of 4 conditions that differ by who is with them in the scanner room: Primary Parent, Close Friend, Experimenter, No Social Partner. (N=50 per condition, 25 male, 25 female).
Once at the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, participants and the individual who will be with the participant in the scanning room will undergo an MRI safety screening (the repeat of what the investigators completed over the phone). Girls will be shown to a changing room where the investigators will privately question them about any possibility of pregnancy. Participants will be shown into the scanning control room and one more safety check will be performed before they enter the scanner room and the scanner. If they are in one of the social buffering conditions, the social buffering partner will also enter the scanning room and will sit to the side of the scanner.
The scanning bed will then be moved into the barrel of the MRI machine. The participant will be wearing head phones to protect his/her hearing and to receive instructions from the control room. The participant will also be able to see two judges and hear the judges instructions when the participant is in the scanning control room. The participant will then complete a variant or the Trier Social Stress Test, a social evaluative stressor, which produces elevations in heart rate and cortisol.
When saliva is collected, the scanning bed is withdrawn from the barrel of the MRI machine and the participant will be able to see and briefly interact with the social partner while saliva is sampled for steroid collection. Once the scan is over the participant will return to a waiting area and complete additional questionnaires, provide additional saliva samples, and another urine sample.
- Conditions
- Social Stress, Adolescent Behavior
- Being tested
- Questionnaires, MRI
- Medical subject headings
- Adolescent Behavior
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
QuestionnairesOther
The participant will complete questionnaires, including ones on pubertal development and quality of relations with parents and friends.
MRIOther
Within 2 weeks of the first study visit, the participant will return to the University where they will undergo MRI.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Parent | Experimental | Participants will be randomly assigned to one of 3 conditions that differ by who is with them in the MRI scanner room: Primary Parent, Experimenter, No Social Partner. Receives: Other: Questionnaires; Other: MRI |
| Experimenter | Experimental | Participants will be randomly assigned to one of 3 conditions that differ by who is with them in the MRI scanner room: Primary Parent, Experimenter, No Social Partner. Receives: Other: Questionnaires; Other: MRI |
| No Social Partner | Experimental | Participants will be randomly assigned to one of 3 conditions that differ by who is with them in the MRI scanner room: Primary Parent, Experimenter, No Social Partner. Receives: Other: Questionnaires; Other: MRI |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Cortisol AUCi
Area under the curve from initial (baseline) will be calculated and used in the analyses. Description = 9 saliva samples are collected during the course of the assessment. These samples are collected at (1) arrival for training purposes; T=0, (2) scan preparation; T=35 minutes, (3) entering scanner; T=55 minutes, (4) pre-TSST; T=75 minutes, (5) post-TSST; T=100 minutes, (6) pre-math alone; T=110 minutes, (7) post-math alone; T=120 minutes, (8) exiting scanner; T=130 minutes, (9) departure; T=140 minutes. Area under the curve at intercept (AUCi) is calculated using samples 2-7 with sample 2 as the intercept.
Measured: 2 hours, approx
Change Heart Rate Response
Heart rate will be derived from the EKG signal collected during periods of stress (social evaluation) and non-stress (no evaluation) during the course of the assessment. The variable, heart rate response, is a numeric output (reported in beats per minutes) from validated software (BIOPAC) which is calculated using a regression algorithm. The outcome measure will be reported as the difference between heart rate response during the period of stress and period of non-stress.
Measured: 2 hours
Dorsal Anterior Cingulate: Task-related Brain Activity (Judged Math vs. Math Alone)
The difference in fMRI BOLD signal intensity in the bilateral dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) between the social evaluative stress condition (judged math) and non-stress condition (math without judges). Mean group differences in signal intensity between the two math tasks were extracted from a brain region defined by the Harvard-Oxford brain atlas anterior cingulate cortex thresholded at 50% confidence and dorsal to the genu of the corpus callosum.
Measured: 2 hours
Left Anterior Insula: Task-related Brain Activity (Judged Math vs. Math Alone)
The difference in fMRI BOLD signal intensity in the left anterior insula between the social evaluative stress condition (judged math) and non-stress condition (math without judges). Mean group differences in signal intensity between the two math tasks were extracted from a brain region defined by the Harvard-Oxford brain atlas left insula thresholded at 50% confidence and anterior to the region's midpoint.
Measured: 2 hours
Right Anterior Insula: Task-related Brain Activity (Judged Math vs. Math Alone)
The difference in fMRI BOLD signal intensity in the right anterior insula between the social evaluative stress condition (judged math) and non-stress condition (math without judges). Mean group differences in signal intensity between the two math tasks were extracted from a brain region defined by the Harvard-Oxford brain atlas right insula thresholded at 50% confidence and anterior to the region's midpoint.
Measured: 2 hours
Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex: Task-related Brain Activity (Judged Math vs. Math Alone)
The difference in fMRI BOLD signal intensity in the bilateral ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) between the social evaluative stress condition (judged math) and non-stress condition (math without judges). Mean group differences in signal intensity between the two math tasks were extracted from a brain region defined by the combination of Harvard-Oxford brain atlas frontal pole, frontal medial cortex, and subcallosal cortex thresholded at 50% confidence and ventral to the genu of the corpus callosum and medial to the lateral edges of the Harvard-Oxford brain atlas frontal medial cortex.
Measured: 2 hours
Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex: Task-related Brain Activity (Judged Math vs. Math Alone)
The difference in fMRI BOLD signal intensity in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (left dlPFC) between the social evaluative stress condition (judged math) and non-stress condition (math without judges). Mean group differences in signal intensity between the two math tasks were extracted from a brain region defined by the Harvard-Oxford brain atlas left middle frontal gyrus thresholded at 50% confidence.
Measured: 2 hours
Right Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex: Task-related Brain Activity (Judged Math vs. Math Alone)
The difference in fMRI BOLD signal intensity in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (right dlPFC) between the social evaluative stress condition (judged math) and non-stress condition (math without judges). Mean group differences in signal intensity between the two math tasks were extracted from a brain region defined by the Harvard-Oxford brain atlas right middle frontal gyrus thresholded at 50% confidence.
Measured: 2 hours
Amygdala-vmPFC Connectivity: fMRI Functional Connectivity (Speech Prep vs. Rest)
For each participant, signal intensity (unitless measure) will be measured using fMRI in the bilateral amygdala over a five-minute recording period. Signal intensity will also be measured using fMRI in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) over the same period of time. A bivariate correlation will be conducted for these two data sets to determine functional connectivity, which will be reported as the r value of the correlation. This outcome measure will be reported as the mean difference in functional connectivity value (r, or correlation coefficient) for each buffering condition/group.
Measured: 2 hours
Amygdala-left dlPFC Connectivity: fMRI Functional Connectivity (Speech Prep vs. Rest)
For each participant, signal intensity (unitless measure) will be measured using fMRI in the amygdala over a five-minute recording period. Signal intensity will also be measured using fMRI in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) over the same period of time. A bivariate correlation will be conducted for these two data sets to determine functional connectivity, which will be reported as the r value of the correlation. This outcome measure will be reported as the mean difference in functional connectivity value (r, or correlation coefficient) for each buffering condition/group.
Measured: 2 hours
Amygdala-right dlPFC Connectivity: fMRI Functional Connectivity (Speech Prep vs. Rest)
For each participant, signal intensity (unitless measure) will be measured using fMRI in the amygdala over a five-minute recording period. Signal intensity will also be measured using fMRI in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) over the same period of time. A bivariate correlation will be conducted for these two data sets to determine functional connectivity, which will be reported as the r value of the correlation. This outcome measure will be reported as the mean difference in functional connectivity value (r, or correlation coefficient) for each buffering condition/group.
Measured: 2 hours
Hypothalamus-vmPFC Connectivity: fMRI Functional Connectivity (Speech Prep vs. Rest)
For each participant, signal intensity (unitless measure) will be measured using fMRI in the hypothalamus over a five-minute recording period. Signal intensity will also be measured using fMRI in the bilateral ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) over the same period of time. A bivariate correlation will be conducted for these two data sets to determine functional connectivity, which will be reported as the r value of the correlation. This outcome measure will be reported as the mean difference in functional connectivity value (r, or correlation coefficient) for each buffering condition/group.
Measured: 2 hours
Hypothalamus-left dlPFC Connectivity: fMRI Functional Connectivity (Speech vs. Rest)
For each participant, signal intensity (unitless measure) will be measured using fMRI in the hypothalamus over a five-minute recording period. Signal intensity will also be measured using fMRI in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) over the same period of time. A bivariate correlation will be conducted for these two data sets to determine functional connectivity, which will be reported as the r value of the correlation. This outcome measure will be reported as the mean difference in functional connectivity value (r, or correlation coefficient) for each buffering condition/group.
Measured: 2 hours
Hypothalamus-right dlPFC Connectivity: fMRI Functional Connectivity (Speech vs. Rest)
For each participant, signal intensity (unitless measure) will be measured using fMRI in the hypothalamus over a five-minute recording period. Signal intensity will also be measured using fMRI in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) over the same period of time. A bivariate correlation will be conducted for these two data sets to determine functional connectivity, which will be reported as the r value of the correlation. This outcome measure will be reported as the mean difference in functional connectivity value (r, or correlation coefficient) for each buffering condition/group.
Measured: 2 hours
Change in Salivary Alpha Amylase, AUCi
salivary Alpha Amylase is used to index autonomic/sympathetic function. 9 saliva samples are collected during the course of the assessment. These samples are collected at (1) arrival; T=0, (2) scan preparation; T=35 minutes, (3) entering scanner; T=55 minutes, (4) pre-TSST; T=75 minutes, (5) post-TSST; T=100 minutes, (6) pre-math alone; T=110 minutes, (7) post-math alone; T=120 minutes, (8) exiting scanner; T=130 minutes, (9) departure; T=140 minutes. 4 samples (3-6) are assayed for salivary alpha amylase in micrograms per milliliter (sAA). Area under the curve at intercept (AUCi) is calculated using samples 3-6 with sample 3 as the intercept.
Measured: 2 hours
Secondary outcomes (12)
Self Report of Stress
Self-report of stress using a Likert-type scale with 5 levels of stress felt: (1) Not At All, (2) A Little, (3) Some, (4) A Lot, (5) A Whole Lot. Level of stress was reported for 4 points during the assessment: (1) How stressed did you feel when you first arrived at the University and we were walking into the building, (2) How stressful was the period of time when you were preparing your speech and thinking about what to say?, (3) How stressful was giving the speech?, (4) How stressful was the math with judges?. Mean Stress reactivity was calculated as the mean of (2, 3, 4) minus the value at arrival (1).
Measured: 2 hours
Peer Acceptance/Rejection
Scale on the MacArthur Health and Behavior Questionnaire, Potential Covariate, 5pt Scale (1-5), High Scores Indicate Peer Acceptance
Measured: Parent report of child's general experience, collected over 30 minutes
Behavioral Inhibition
Scale on the MacArthur Health and Behavior Questionnaire. Potential Covariate, 3pt scale (0,1,2), high scores indicate inhibition
Measured: Parent report of child's general experience, collected over 30 minutes
Internalizing Symptoms
Higher Order Measure From the MacArthur Health and Behavior Questionnaire. Potential Covariate 3pt scale (0,1,2), high scores indicate Internalizing
Measured: Parent report of child's general experience, collected over 30 minutes
Externalizing Symptoms
Higher Order Measure From the MacArthur Health and Behavior Questionnaire. Potential Covariate 3pt scale (0,1,2), high scores indicate externalizing
Measured: Parent report of child's general experience, collected over 30 minutes
Time Since Awakening
Participants self-report the clock time that they woke up on the day of the assessment, and the clock time when the imaging test was done. The difference between these times was calculated and reported in hours. This is only a potential covariate for cortisol, which follows a circadian rhythm.
Measured: reported at the beginning of the 2 hour session
Pretax Family Income. Potential Covariate
Parents report on gross family income on an 11-point ordinal scale: (1) Less than $15,000, (2) $15,001 to $25,000, (3) $25,001 to $35,000, (4) $35,001 to $50,000, (5) $50,001 to $75,000, (6) $75,001 to $100,000, (7) $100,001 to $125,000, (8) $125,001 to $150,000, (9) $150,001 to $175,000, (10) $175,001 to 200,000, (11) $200,001 or more.
Measured: Parent report, collected over 30 minutes
Parental Average Education Level. Potential Covariate
Parents report education level for both parents on a 6-point ordinal scale: (1) Less than high school degree, (2) High school or GED, (3) Associate degree, college academia program, (4) Bachelor's degree, (5) Master's degree, (6) Professional and/or Doctorate degree. Average of parents' education is calculated and reported.
Measured: Parent report, collected over 30 minutes
Caffeine or Nicotine Within 1 Hour of Testing. Potential Covariate
Youth report on whether they consumed caffeine or nicotine in the 1-2 hours prior to the assessment. Coded as no=0, yes=1. Used as a potential covariate for heart rate and neuroendocrine measures.
Measured: Youth report, at start of 2 hour session
Granger Score
The Granger score (ordinal, modeled continuously) is a score based on work by Doug Granger of medications that can affect activity of the HPA axis, weighted by significance of potential impact (Granger, Hibel, Fortunato, \& Kapelewski, 2009). Each medication taken is given a score of 0, 1, or 2, and all medication scores for a participant is summed, resulting in scores from 0 to infinity. Lower scores are less likely to influence cortisol. Potential Covariate
Measured: Youth report at the beginning of the 2 hour session
Quality of Relationship With Primary Parent, BSV Positive Attachment Scale
Network of Relationships Inventory (NRI) reported by youth for their primary parent on how much they experience various emotions or incidents (e.g. How much free time do you spend with this person?), reported on a 5-point scale: (1) Little or None, (2) Somewhat, (3) Very Much, (4) Extremely Much, (5) The Most. Mean scores calculated from all positive attachment items, range 1-5. Potential Covariate.
Measured: Youth report, collected over course of 30 minutes
Quality of Relationship With Close Friend, BSV Positive Attachment Scale
Network of Relationships Inventory (NRI) reported by youth for their close friend on how much they experience various emotions or incidents (e.g. How much free time do you spend with this person?), reported on a 5-point scale: (1) Little or None, (2) Somewhat, (3) Very Much, (4) Extremely Much, (5) The Most. Mean scores calculated from all positive attachment items, ranging 1-5. Potential Covariate.
Measured: Youth reported, collected over course of 30 minutes
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted26 Dec 2019
- Study start18 Oct 2019
- Primary completion24 Jun 2023
- Study completion24 Jun 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Other trials for Social StressStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of MinnesotaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 208 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Minnesota
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Megan Gunnar, PhD, Principal investigator, University of MinnesotaKathleen Thomas, PhD, Principal investigator, University of Minnesota
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04211155
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- STUDY00006378
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 7 Nov 2019
- Last updated
- 30 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Neural Correlates of the Shift in Social Buffering of Social Evaluative Threat in 11-14 Year Olds
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04211155
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- STUDY00006378
- Conditions
- Social Stress, Adolescent Behavior
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 208 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of MinnesotaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 18 Oct 2019 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 24 Jun 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 24 Jun 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 26 Dec 2019 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 27 Mar 2025
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this experiment is to determine the mechanisms through which parental buffering of stress physiology in response to social evaluative threat diminishes with pubertal development and whether this diminution of effectiveness extends to social buffering by peers (best friends) and/or other unfamiliar social partners (e.g., experimenters).
Detailed description
On visit one, the participant will 1) be seen by a nurse who will complete a pubertal assessment exam, 2) complete questionnaires, including ones on pubertal development, screening for MRI safety, and quality of relations with parents and friends. The participant will also have a chance to experience a simulated MRI in order to determine whether they will be comfortable in an actual MRI.
Within 2 weeks the participant will return to the University where undergo the following protocol. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of 4 conditions that differ by who is with them in the scanner room: Primary Parent, Close Friend, Experimenter, No Social Partner. (N=50 per condition, 25 male, 25 female).
Once at the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, participants and the individual who will be with the participant in the scanning room will undergo an MRI safety screening (the repeat of what the investigators completed over the phone). Girls will be shown to a changing room where the investigators will privately question them about any possibility of pregnancy. Participants will be shown into the scanning control room and one more safety check will be performed before they enter the scanner room and the scanner. If they are in one of the social buffering conditions, the social buffering partner will also enter the scanning room and will sit to the side of the scanner.
The scanning bed will then be moved into the barrel of the MRI machine. The participant will be wearing head phones to protect his/her hearing and to receive instructions from the control room. The participant will also be able to see two judges and hear the judges instructions when the participant is in the scanning control room. The participant will then complete a variant or the Trier Social Stress Test, a social evaluative stressor, which produces elevations in heart rate and cortisol.
When saliva is collected, the scanning bed is withdrawn from the barrel of the MRI machine and the participant will be able to see and briefly interact with the social partner while saliva is sampled for steroid collection. Once the scan is over the participant will return to a waiting area and complete additional questionnaires, provide additional saliva samples, and another urine sample.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Parent | Experimental | Other: Questionnaires, Other: MRIParticipants will be randomly assigned to one of 3 conditions that differ by who is with them in the MRI scanner room: Primary Parent, Experimenter, No Social Partner. |
| Experimenter | Experimental | Other: Questionnaires, Other: MRIParticipants will be randomly assigned to one of 3 conditions that differ by who is with them in the MRI scanner room: Primary Parent, Experimenter, No Social Partner. |
| No Social Partner | Experimental | Other: Questionnaires, Other: MRIParticipants will be randomly assigned to one of 3 conditions that differ by who is with them in the MRI scanner room: Primary Parent, Experimenter, No Social Partner. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 11 to 14 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- sufficient vision to complete assent and study procedures
- sufficient hearing to complete assent and study procedures
- sufficient language skills to provide verbal and written assent
Key exclusion criteria (11 listed)
- Premature birth (less than 37 weeks)
- congenital and/or chromosomal disorders (e.g. cerebral palsy, FAS, mental retardation, Turner Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Fragile X)
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- history of serious medical illness (e.g., cancer, organ transplant)
- youth taking systemic glucocorticoids
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| QuestionnairesThe participant will complete questionnaires, including ones on pubertal development and quality of relations with parents and friends. | Other | Experimenter, No Social Partner, Primary Parent |
| MRIWithin 2 weeks of the first study visit, the participant will return to the University where they will undergo MRI. | Other | Experimenter, No Social Partner, Primary Parent |
Primary outcome
Change in Cortisol AUCi
Time frame: 2 hours, approx
Area under the curve from initial (baseline) will be calculated and used in the analyses. Description = 9 saliva samples are collected during the course of the assessment. These samples are collected at (1) arrival for training purposes; T=0, (2) scan preparation; T=35 minutes, (3) entering scanner; T=55 minutes, (4) pre-TSST; T=75 minutes, (5) post-TSST; T=100 minutes, (6) pre-math alone; T=110 minutes, (7) post-math alone; T=120 minutes, (8) exiting scanner; T=130 minutes, (9) departure; T=140 minutes. Area under the curve at intercept (AUCi) is calculated using samples 2-7 with sample 2 as the intercept.
Change Heart Rate Response
Time frame: 2 hours
Heart rate will be derived from the EKG signal collected during periods of stress (social evaluation) and non-stress (no evaluation) during the course of the assessment. The variable, heart rate response, is a numeric output (reported in beats per minutes) from validated software (BIOPAC) which is calculated using a regression algorithm. The outcome measure will be reported as the difference between heart rate response during the period of stress and period of non-stress.
Dorsal Anterior Cingulate: Task-related Brain Activity (Judged Math vs. Math Alone)
Time frame: 2 hours
The difference in fMRI BOLD signal intensity in the bilateral dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) between the social evaluative stress condition (judged math) and non-stress condition (math without judges). Mean group differences in signal intensity between the two math tasks were extracted from a brain region defined by the Harvard-Oxford brain atlas anterior cingulate cortex thresholded at 50% confidence and dorsal to the genu of the corpus callosum.
Left Anterior Insula: Task-related Brain Activity (Judged Math vs. Math Alone)
Time frame: 2 hours
The difference in fMRI BOLD signal intensity in the left anterior insula between the social evaluative stress condition (judged math) and non-stress condition (math without judges). Mean group differences in signal intensity between the two math tasks were extracted from a brain region defined by the Harvard-Oxford brain atlas left insula thresholded at 50% confidence and anterior to the region's midpoint.
Right Anterior Insula: Task-related Brain Activity (Judged Math vs. Math Alone)
Time frame: 2 hours
The difference in fMRI BOLD signal intensity in the right anterior insula between the social evaluative stress condition (judged math) and non-stress condition (math without judges). Mean group differences in signal intensity between the two math tasks were extracted from a brain region defined by the Harvard-Oxford brain atlas right insula thresholded at 50% confidence and anterior to the region's midpoint.
Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex: Task-related Brain Activity (Judged Math vs. Math Alone)
Time frame: 2 hours
The difference in fMRI BOLD signal intensity in the bilateral ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) between the social evaluative stress condition (judged math) and non-stress condition (math without judges). Mean group differences in signal intensity between the two math tasks were extracted from a brain region defined by the combination of Harvard-Oxford brain atlas frontal pole, frontal medial cortex, and subcallosal cortex thresholded at 50% confidence and ventral to the genu of the corpus callosum and medial to the lateral edges of the Harvard-Oxford brain atlas frontal medial cortex.
Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex: Task-related Brain Activity (Judged Math vs. Math Alone)
Time frame: 2 hours
The difference in fMRI BOLD signal intensity in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (left dlPFC) between the social evaluative stress condition (judged math) and non-stress condition (math without judges). Mean group differences in signal intensity between the two math tasks were extracted from a brain region defined by the Harvard-Oxford brain atlas left middle frontal gyrus thresholded at 50% confidence.
Right Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex: Task-related Brain Activity (Judged Math vs. Math Alone)
Time frame: 2 hours
The difference in fMRI BOLD signal intensity in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (right dlPFC) between the social evaluative stress condition (judged math) and non-stress condition (math without judges). Mean group differences in signal intensity between the two math tasks were extracted from a brain region defined by the Harvard-Oxford brain atlas right middle frontal gyrus thresholded at 50% confidence.
Amygdala-vmPFC Connectivity: fMRI Functional Connectivity (Speech Prep vs. Rest)
Time frame: 2 hours
For each participant, signal intensity (unitless measure) will be measured using fMRI in the bilateral amygdala over a five-minute recording period. Signal intensity will also be measured using fMRI in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) over the same period of time. A bivariate correlation will be conducted for these two data sets to determine functional connectivity, which will be reported as the r value of the correlation. This outcome measure will be reported as the mean difference in functional connectivity value (r, or correlation coefficient) for each buffering condition/group.
Amygdala-left dlPFC Connectivity: fMRI Functional Connectivity (Speech Prep vs. Rest)
Time frame: 2 hours
For each participant, signal intensity (unitless measure) will be measured using fMRI in the amygdala over a five-minute recording period. Signal intensity will also be measured using fMRI in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) over the same period of time. A bivariate correlation will be conducted for these two data sets to determine functional connectivity, which will be reported as the r value of the correlation. This outcome measure will be reported as the mean difference in functional connectivity value (r, or correlation coefficient) for each buffering condition/group.
Amygdala-right dlPFC Connectivity: fMRI Functional Connectivity (Speech Prep vs. Rest)
Time frame: 2 hours
For each participant, signal intensity (unitless measure) will be measured using fMRI in the amygdala over a five-minute recording period. Signal intensity will also be measured using fMRI in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) over the same period of time. A bivariate correlation will be conducted for these two data sets to determine functional connectivity, which will be reported as the r value of the correlation. This outcome measure will be reported as the mean difference in functional connectivity value (r, or correlation coefficient) for each buffering condition/group.
Hypothalamus-vmPFC Connectivity: fMRI Functional Connectivity (Speech Prep vs. Rest)
Time frame: 2 hours
For each participant, signal intensity (unitless measure) will be measured using fMRI in the hypothalamus over a five-minute recording period. Signal intensity will also be measured using fMRI in the bilateral ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) over the same period of time. A bivariate correlation will be conducted for these two data sets to determine functional connectivity, which will be reported as the r value of the correlation. This outcome measure will be reported as the mean difference in functional connectivity value (r, or correlation coefficient) for each buffering condition/group.
Hypothalamus-left dlPFC Connectivity: fMRI Functional Connectivity (Speech vs. Rest)
Time frame: 2 hours
For each participant, signal intensity (unitless measure) will be measured using fMRI in the hypothalamus over a five-minute recording period. Signal intensity will also be measured using fMRI in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) over the same period of time. A bivariate correlation will be conducted for these two data sets to determine functional connectivity, which will be reported as the r value of the correlation. This outcome measure will be reported as the mean difference in functional connectivity value (r, or correlation coefficient) for each buffering condition/group.
Hypothalamus-right dlPFC Connectivity: fMRI Functional Connectivity (Speech vs. Rest)
Time frame: 2 hours
For each participant, signal intensity (unitless measure) will be measured using fMRI in the hypothalamus over a five-minute recording period. Signal intensity will also be measured using fMRI in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) over the same period of time. A bivariate correlation will be conducted for these two data sets to determine functional connectivity, which will be reported as the r value of the correlation. This outcome measure will be reported as the mean difference in functional connectivity value (r, or correlation coefficient) for each buffering condition/group.
Change in Salivary Alpha Amylase, AUCi
Time frame: 2 hours
salivary Alpha Amylase is used to index autonomic/sympathetic function. 9 saliva samples are collected during the course of the assessment. These samples are collected at (1) arrival; T=0, (2) scan preparation; T=35 minutes, (3) entering scanner; T=55 minutes, (4) pre-TSST; T=75 minutes, (5) post-TSST; T=100 minutes, (6) pre-math alone; T=110 minutes, (7) post-math alone; T=120 minutes, (8) exiting scanner; T=130 minutes, (9) departure; T=140 minutes. 4 samples (3-6) are assayed for salivary alpha amylase in micrograms per milliliter (sAA). Area under the curve at intercept (AUCi) is calculated using samples 3-6 with sample 3 as the intercept.
12 secondary outcomes
Self Report of Stress
Time frame: 2 hours
Peer Acceptance/Rejection
Time frame: Parent report of child's general experience, collected over 30 minutes
Behavioral Inhibition
Time frame: Parent report of child's general experience, collected over 30 minutes
Internalizing Symptoms
Time frame: Parent report of child's general experience, collected over 30 minutes
Externalizing Symptoms
Time frame: Parent report of child's general experience, collected over 30 minutes
Time Since Awakening
Time frame: reported at the beginning of the 2 hour session
Pretax Family Income. Potential Covariate
Time frame: Parent report, collected over 30 minutes
Parental Average Education Level. Potential Covariate
Time frame: Parent report, collected over 30 minutes
Caffeine or Nicotine Within 1 Hour of Testing. Potential Covariate
Time frame: Youth report, at start of 2 hour session
Granger Score
Time frame: Youth report at the beginning of the 2 hour session
Quality of Relationship With Primary Parent, BSV Positive Attachment Scale
Time frame: Youth report, collected over course of 30 minutes
Quality of Relationship With Close Friend, BSV Positive Attachment Scale
Time frame: Youth reported, collected over course of 30 minutes
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Mar 2026.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Megan Gunnar, PhD principal investigator
University of Minnesota
Kathleen Thomas, PhD principal investigator
University of Minnesota
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Questionnaires and MRI in people with Social Stress and Adolescent Behavior, run by University of Minnesota at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 11 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 27 Mar 2025). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Cortisol AUCi (time frame: 2 hours, approx). The study lists 15 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Mar 2026.