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Structural Racism, Reward Related Decision Making and Substance Use Risk

Structural Racism, Neurocognition in Reward Related Decision Making and Substance Use Risk

Who can join

Ages 11 to 14 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome

Inclusion Criteria:

1. The adolescent participant is a biological or non-biological child of a member of the original Boricua Youth Study (BYS) sample.
2. 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.
3. If the parent/caregiver is not an original BYS member, they have provided a consent to contact form.
4. 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

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Major neurological disorder (e.g. seizure disorder) or cognitive impairment (e.g., moderate to severe Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability)
2. Exclusion criteria for the MRI scan only: MRI contraindications (e.g., irremovable metal on the body, pacemaker, braces, etc.; pregnancy (while required by NYSPI).

About the study

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).

Sponsor: Columbia University · Participants: 72 · Started: Feb 3, 2026

Contact the study team

• Tamara J. Sussman, PhD · Phone: 646-774-6048

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06221839

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Teen Violence

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.