# Externalizing outcomes in high risk youth

> **NIH NIH R01** · THE MIND RESEARCH NETWORK · 2020 · $706,182

## Abstract

Project Summary/abstract
Public attention has often been drawn to the relationship between violence and mental health issues, but
violent behavior is a very complex phenomenon undergirded by myriad social, psychological, environmental,
and biological influences. This project intends to investigate these influences among a large sample of
previously incarcerated youth, following up with them and collecting valuable longitudinal data. Our team
worked with these youth and their families collecting detailed psychological, behavioral, and neuroimaging
measures as part of a previous NIH-funded investigation. The current project aims to re-assess these
individuals (now young adults) to examine long-range positive (i.e., desistance from drug use/antisocial
behavior) and negative (relapse to drugs, antisocial behavior) outcomes. We will collect new neuroimaging
scans, which combined with prior MRI data, will be useful for quantifying trajectories of change that map to
persistence and desistence from externalizing outcomes. Advanced machine-learning approaches will be
utilized in conjunction with structural, functional, network, and dynamic network brain measures in addition
to behavioral and psychological measures. Machine learning approaches are capable of identifying patterns in
high-dimensional data and delineating the unique combinations of variables that are most predictive of specific
outcome variables. Using these methods, we intend to define neural mechanisms that predict outcomes. We
also aim to identify combinations of variables that confer greater risk for persistent antisocial behavior and
violence. The translational value of this work will be to clarify informative patterns of data that may indicate
preventable outcomes. Furthermore, neural measures indicative of specific vulnerability will be identified as
specific targets for treatment and novel intervention strategies. By identifying specific vulnerabilities and the
changes that accompany positive outcomes, we will be closer to understanding the best way to recognize and
prevent costly violent behavior.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9709107
- **Project number:** 5R01HD092331-03
- **Recipient organization:** THE MIND RESEARCH NETWORK
- **Principal Investigator:** KENT A KIEHL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $706,182
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-08-05 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9709107

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9709107, Externalizing outcomes in high risk youth (5R01HD092331-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9709107. Licensed CC0.

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