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Understanding Impulsivity and Suicidal Behavior in Adolescents

This study aims to understand why some adolescents act impulsively when feeling negative emotions, a behavior called negative urgency. Researchers will use a technique called single-/paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sp/ppTMS) to measure brain activity in adolescents aged 13-21 who experience depression and suicidal thoughts or behaviors. The study will look at how a type of brain signaling called cortical inhibition is related to negative urgency. They also want to see if adolescents with suicidal behavior have different brain activity compared to those with only suicidal thoughts. The study plans to enroll 80 participants and will measure brain activity at the beginning, then again at 6 months and 12 months to see if these relationships change over time.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 80 participants aged 13-21 years. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
Participants will have their brain activity measured using single-/paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sp/ppTMS) at the start of the study, and then again at 6 months and 12 months.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 12 months, with measurements taken at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05652153

Inhibitory Mechanisms of Negative Urgency in Adolescent Suicidal Behavior

Recruiting
NAAges 13–21Interventional
University of Minnesota
~80 participants
Updated 2026-06-23 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Single-/paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Long-interval intracortical inhibition (LICI) - baseline
Measured over Baseline
+5 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Suicidal Behavior
Suicidal Ideation
Negative Urgency
Cortical Inhibition
Depression

Explore related trials

DepressionSuicidal behaviorSuicidal Ideation

NCT05652153

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • University of Minnesota

    Minneapolis, Minnesotano site contact published

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Kathryn Cullen, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Minnesota

Who to contact

Charles P Lewis, MD
[email protected]
612-625-4081
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Ages 13-21 years (inclusive)
Any sex, gender, race, or ethnicity
For participants 18 years of age or older, ability to provide written informed consent
For participants under 18 years of age, ability to provide written assent, with legal guardian's ability to provide written informed consent
Ability of participant (and parent/guardian, if applicable) to read and to communicate verbally and in writing in English (in order to permit comprehensive assessment of suicide risk by study team, and to facilitate safety planning and mitigation of suicide-related risks as necessary)
Current diagnosis of a unipolar depressive episode (major depressive episode, unspecified depressive disorder, or adjustment disorder with depressed mood), confirmed on the structured diagnostic interview (MINI or MINI-Kid)
For participants in the Dep/SI group:
Any lifetime history of suicidal ideation, as assessed by the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
No prior history of suicidal behavior (interrupted attempt, aborted attempt, or suicide attempt) as assessed by the C-SSRS
For participants in the Dep/SB group:
If the study participant will be completing any of the assessments remotely through the use of video teleconferencing, access to a reliable internet connection will be required

Exclusion

Imminent suicide risk as determined by the PI or other study board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist (based on review of C-SSRS and SSI scales and clinical assessment of participant)
Current substance use meeting diagnostic criteria for a substance use disorder within the last month on the MINI or MINI-KID diagnostic interview (with the exceptions of caffeine and nicotine)
Lifetime history of psychosis, hypomania, or mania
Historical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disability
Antiepileptic medication use or chronic benzodiazepine use (as-needed benzodiazepine use will be permitted if it can be held on day of study visit with TMS-EEG testing)
Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy in participants capable of becoming pregnant (assessed with urine pregnancy test)
Medical/neurologic history that would pose increased risks for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or factors that would impede completion of study procedures, including:
Neurological disorders including seizure disorder, history of anoxia, history of head injuries with loss of consciousness for greater than 5 minutes
Suicide attempt by hanging or strangulation (asphyxiation) leading to anoxia
Any personal history of seizure or family history of epilepsy
Any metallic implants, fragments, or devices
Any cardiac pacemaker, medication pump, neural stimulator, or other implanted medical device
Risk for increased intracranial pressure (e.g., history of intracranial mass)
History of intracranial surgical procedure
Any contraindication to TMS determined by the TMS Adult Safety Screen (TASS)
Any contraindication to MRI identified on imaging center screening form
Any non-removable hair, head, or neck body modifications that would impede TMS and proper EEG recording

What this trial measures

  • Long-interval intracortical inhibition (LICI) - baselineBaseline

    LICI is a measure of cortical inhibitory physiology that is obtained by recording event-related potentials on electroencephalography (EEG) when applying paired magnetic pulses with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

  • Long-interval intracortical inhibition (LICI) - 6 months6 months

    LICI is a measure of cortical inhibitory physiology that is obtained by recording event-related potentials on electroencephalography (EEG) when applying paired magnetic pulses with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

  • Long-interval intracortical inhibition (LICI) - 12 months12 months

    LICI is a measure of cortical inhibitory physiology that is obtained by recording event-related potentials on electroencephalography (EEG) when applying paired magnetic pulses with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).

  • Negative urgency - baselineBaseline

    Negative urgency, the tendency to act impulsively in the context of negative emotion, is measured using a subscale of the self-report Urgency, Premeditation, Perseverance, Sensation Seeking, Positive Urgency (UPPS-P) Impulsive Behavior Scale. Higher scores indicate greater negative urgency.

  • Negative urgency - 6 months6 months

    Negative urgency, the tendency to act impulsively in the context of negative emotion, is measured using a subscale of the self-report Urgency, Premeditation, Perseverance, Sensation Seeking, Positive Urgency (UPPS-P) Impulsive Behavior Scale. Higher scores indicate greater negative urgency.

  • Negative urgency - 12 months12 months

    Negative urgency, the tendency to act impulsively in the context of negative emotion, is measured using a subscale of the self-report Urgency, Premeditation, Perseverance, Sensation Seeking, Positive Urgency (UPPS-P) Impulsive Behavior Scale. Higher scores indicate greater negative urgency.