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In the MARTA lab, we are currently focused on answering the following broad questions:
How is everyday reward engagement altered in adolescents with depression?
What is mixed features depression and how does it relate to challenges in reward function?
In the near future, we hope to examine reward function in ADHD and associated risk for depressed mood, lack of motivation, and substance use.
Ongoing Studies
The PEARL Study (PI: Gonçalves)
The PEARL Study (PI: Gonçalves)
The PEARL study examines everyday reward engagement in adolescents and college students across varying levels of depression. Using clinical interviews, smartphone surveys, and wearable sensors, we investigate the temporal relationships between reward behavior, reward experience—including anticipation and enjoyment—and mood. We additionally examine how unique characteristics of reward behavior shape these associations. Our hope is that this work will deepen our understanding of depression, inform adaptations to treatments like Behavioral Activation, and ultimately support adolescents struggling with depression.
Key questions to answer with the PEARL study:
Is the biggest challenge in adolescent depression a lack of anticipation (looking forward to rewards), a lack of enjoyment (experiencing them), or both?
Why do adolescent with depression struggle to engage in enjoyable activities even when they want to feel better?
Why is positive emotion so difficult for these teens to sustain?
Which reward behaviors are most likely to help these teens feel better?
Status: Recruitment for adolescent substudy (PEARL-A) begins September 2026.
External Studies
The MBA Study (PIs: Laudoucer, Diler)
The MBA Study (PIs: Laudoucer, Diler)
The Mood, Brain and Adolescence (MBA) study at the University of Pittsburgh examines why some adolescents with depression also experience manic symptoms ("mixed features depression"), which increases risk for impairment and suicidality. Using brain imaging, clinical interviewing, and real-world measures of mood and behavior, adolescents were followed over time to understand how brain circuits involved in reward are related to these symptoms. The goal was to identify subgroups of depressed youth, improve early detection of manic symptoms, and inform more personalized treatment approaches.
Status: data collection complete; data analysis ongoing
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