Clinical Research Directory

Mindfulness ADHD Intervention

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects approximately 11% of children and adolescents in the United States. Individuals with ADHD experience substantial impairments and burdens across multiple areas of daily living, including peer difficulties, academic difficulties, poor job outcomes, high rates of co-occurring disorders, and large financial costs. Although there are many well-established, evidence-based treatments for ADHD, many children continue to experience significant impairment and elevated ADHD symptoms even with prolonged treatment. Further, there are several limitations to existing treatment approaches, including medication side effects, difficulty accessing behavioral treatments, and high out-of-pocket costs for behavioral treatments. Thus, there is a crucial need to identify low cost, low burden, alternative or additive intervention approaches for pediatric ADHD. In the current pilot study, the investigators aim to evaluate responses in behavioral markers of attention to a mindfulness-based intervention. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), including deep breathing, have received considerable research attention regarding their benefits for ADHD symptoms. Deep breathing is a strong candidate as a supplementary MBI intervention for children with ADHD due to its simplistic and easy-to-implement nature. Studies examining the effects of deep breathing on physiological arousal and ADHD symptoms in children have yielded promising results. Children will be led through a brief deep breathing intervention using a novel tool designed to optimize child engagement in deep breathing. This tool is designed to be held in the child's hands and uses a series of haptic vibrations to provide real-time deep breathing pacing guidance. The investigators predict that following a brief deep breathing practice, children with ADHD will demonstrate improved sustained attention, reaction time consistency, and inhibitory control. These areas of attention and behavioral functioning will be assessed using computer tasks. The investigators plan to use the results of this study to strengthen a future application for grant funding to run a similar trial with many more children. The investigators believe that the results of this and future studies will improve the lives of children with ADHD and their families.

Effects of Probiotics on the Gut-brain Axis in Children

The effect of probiotics on the gut-brain axis in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder will be studied.

Examination of the Dynamic Relationships of Sleep, Physical Activity, and Circadian Rhythmicity With Neurobehavioral Heterogeneity in ADHD

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can present differently in individuals, with some individuals having difficulty with attentional control, hyperactivity, impulsivity, emotion dysregulation, and/or neurobehavioral functioning. The factors contributing to these different presentations remain unclear, but altered patterns of physical activity, sleep, and circadian rest/activity rhythms may play a key role. The goal of this study is to leverage wearable technology (i.e., a wristband) to investigate the relationships between physical activity during the day, sleep patterns and disturbances, and 24-hour circadian rest/activity rhythms with differences in ADHD symptoms, emotion dysregulation, and related brain and behavioral features of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The investigators hope this study will help improve assessment and intervention for individuals with ADHD by understanding how these factors relate to ADHD symptom expression and associated brain differences in ADHD. Participants taking stimulant medication must withhold stimulant medication 24 hours before their research appointment and the morning of their research appointment. Stimulant medication may be restarted after the appointment is complete. Participation in this study will require children to complete an initial 2-hour research appointment, two (2) weeks of activity and sleep monitoring at home using a wearable wristband and answering questions sent to a smartphone, and a second 4-hour research appointment after the 2-week period. During the first research appointment, children will complete a cognitive assessment and a practice magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Parents/legal guardians will participate in the 30-45-minute sleep device training session with one of the research staff. During the two weeks of activity/sleep monitoring at home, parents and children will answer questions about their sleep routine, ADHD symptoms, and emotional responding each morning and evening. Parents will be asked to install a questionnaire application on their smartphone. A prompt will be sent to their smartphone multiple times per day reminding parents to complete the brief assessment. After the 2-week period, children will complete a 4-hour research appointment. During this research appointment, children will complete a 60-minute MRI scan and computer-based activities that assess cognitive skills, reward-based decision-making, and frustration tolerance. At the end of the research appointment, children will return the device to our research team. Parents may delete the questionnaire application from their phone at the end of the research appointment. Participation will also require parents/legal guardians to complete questionnaires about their child. Questionnaires will be provided to the primary caregiver by email or at the beginning of their child's first research appointment. Parents agree to complete and return the questionnaires within one month of their child's research appointment. Parents may be provided with additional questionnaires to give to their child's primary schoolteacher. This information is collected to better understand children's abilities, behavior, strengths, and weaknesses. There are minimal risks associated with this study. Risks include fatigue, boredom, and mild discomfort. There is no cost to participating in this study. There is no direct benefit to participants for participating in this study.

The TEAM Study - Treatment Efficacy for Autism/Attention Using Mixed Amphetamine

The investigators are conducting a 10-week brain imaging and medication study. They are doing the research to study the response of Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) on extended-release formulation of mixed amphetamine salts (MAS) (also know as Adderall XR). The investigators also want to find out if taking MAS has any effect on the brains of children and adolescents with ADHD and ASD. This study will help researchers better understand how the use of MAS to treat ADHD effects children and adolescents with ASD. The investigators will compare MAS to a placebo. The placebo will look exactly like the MAS capsules but will contain no MAS. During this study, participants may get a placebo instead of MAS. Placebos are used in research studies to see if the study results are due to the study drug or due to other reasons. Participants with ASD and ADHD will complete 4-weeks of treatment with the study medication or placebo. They will complete bi-weekly study visits virtually via a telemedicine platform with the study doctor and complete questionnaires. On alternating weeks, they will meet with a Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) study team member to discuss medication adherence and potential side effects. Participants will have the option to attend all study visits in-person if participants prefer. They will also complete baseline and endpoint Magnetic Resonance (MR) scan visits at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). During the MR Scan visits, they will complete a series of tasks to measure inattention, impulsivity, reward sensitivity, decision-making, and working memory. Participants without ADHD or ASD will complete eligibility screening with MGH. If eligible, they will be invited to baseline and endpoint MR scan visits at MIT. During the MR Scan visits, they will complete a series of tasks to measure inattention, impulsivity, reward sensitivity, decision-making, and working memory.

Improving ADHD Teen Driving - Virtual Reality

Teens with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have high rates of negative driving outcomes, including motor vehicle crashes, which may be caused by visual inattention (i.e., looking away from the roadway to perform secondary tasks). Two versions of a driving intervention that trains teens to reduce instances of looking away from the roadway will be tested in teens with ADHD.

Virtual Reality Supported Rehabilitation for Children's Executive and Metaphonological Skills

Executive functions and metaphonological skills are closely interconnected in supporting language development and learning processes.Investigating this relationship could offer new insights into how executive and metaphonological skills interact, supporting the development of integrated intervention strategies targeting both cognitive and linguistic domains. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a rehabilitation intervention using a virtual reality system (VRRS) in enhancing executive functions and monitoring metaphonological skills in children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).The aim is to explore whether a semi-immersive digital cognitive training protocol can lead to measurable improvements in executive functions, and whether such improvements are associated with gains in metaphonological skills. Participants will present deficits in executive functions and metaphonological skills and will undergo pre- and post-intervention assessments. These assessments include standardized neuropsychological and speech-language pathology tools designed to detect impairments in attention, inhibition, working memory, phonological awareness, and behavior in home and school settings.

L-theanine and Paraxanthine for Cognitive Improvement in Adults With ADHD and ASD

This pilot study will test whether combining L-theanine and paraxanthine improves sustained attention, inhibitory control, and overall cognition in adults with ADHD and ASD. Two parallel randomized, single-blinded, repeated-measures crossover trials will be conducted. Participants will complete neuropsychological testing, fMRI scanning, and self-report measures following administration of the L-theanine-paraxanthine combination compared to placebo.

Exploring Eye Vergence Markers ADHD) and ASD

The investigators study aims to evaluate the utility of eye vergence, an eye-tracking measure, as an indicator of visuo-spatial attention in children aged 4-17 years and adults, using computer-based eye-tracking tasks. Eye vergence, a binocular movement crucial for depth perception, has recently been linked to attentional control and neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) like ADHD and ASD. The investigators will work with children and adults from the CAN and Beckenham clinical centres to explore the relationship between eye vergence and diagnostic categories, potentially identifying subgroups with specific or overlapping attentional differences. This research may aid in the early detection of attention deficits, informing targeted treatments. The investigators will compare neuropsychological and behavioural data from routine clinical sessions with neurophysiological data collected via eye-tracking in a large sample of children aged 7-17 and adults with ADHD and ASD. These clinical measures are well-validated. The study will assess the modulation of eye vergence, pupil size, and head movements across tasks that target different attentional processes, such as orienting, disengaging, inhibiting, and sustaining attention. These tasks will be adapted from both Braingaze's battery and other validated eye-tracking tasks. Additionally, the investigators will explore whether AI can enhance the accuracy of rating scales and questionnaires used to measure ADHD and ASD symptoms in children and adults. With consent, the investigators will use data from previously diagnosed patients collected during routine assessments at the CAN and Beckenham centres. The investigators will also test the accuracy of using a smartphone selfie camera as an eye tracker. In a subset of 50 children (25 clinical and 25 controls), the investigators will evaluate this technology for its ability to measure eye vergence and identify attentional differences. This study qualifies as basic science because it aims to explore fundamental mechanisms of eye vergence and its relationship with attention, rather than evaluating or marketing a medical device for diagnosis or treatment. The primary objective is to understand how eye vergence, as a neurophysiological measure, correlates with attentional processes in individuals with ADHD and ASD. Although the study utilizes an eye-tracking device, it does so as a research tool to collect data on visual and cognitive processes. The focus is on expanding the knowledge of cognitive function and attention regulation in neurodevelopmental conditions, not on testing or validating the device for clinical use. This distinction makes the study appropriate for review by the receiving REC as basic scientific research, rather than as a clinical trial of a medical device.

An Investigational Study Examining the Cross-Validation of QbMobile in ADHD and Normative Populations

The purpose of this study is to investigate QbMobile ability to collect and provide accurate and objective data which can be used to facilitate assessment and treatment procedures for ADHD in a clinical setting as well as remotely.

Transcranial Photobiomodulation With Multiple Interventions in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) with multiple interventions in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study evaluates intervention effects at Magnetic Resonance Imaging, electrophysiological, Visual Search Task, cognitive-behavioral, and clinical symptom levels, aiming to identify the optimal clinical treatment regimen for ADHD patients.

Prediction of ADHD in Children Using Pedobarographic and Postural Data

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of postural control and plantar pressure data in predicting Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in middle school students using machine learning methods. A total of 100 students will participate, including those identified with symptoms of ADHD and healthy controls. Participants will undergo non-invasive biomechanical assessments, including pedobarographic foot pressure measurement and mobile posture analysis. Behavioral data will be collected using DSM-IV-based rating scales developed by Atilla Turgay, completed separately by parents, teachers, and caregivers. All data will be used to develop predictive models using algorithms such as random forest, logistic regression, and support vector machines. The study is observational and cross-sectional.

Mental Health, Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disorder Detection With Artificial Intelligence Models

This study investigates whether AI-driven analysis of speech can accurately predict clinical diagnoses and assess risk for various mental or behavioral health conditions, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia. We aim to develop tools that can support clinicians in making more accurate and efficient diagnoses.

PHArmaCokinetics of methYLphenidate in Adult Patients With Attention-Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder

PHACYLOB PHArmaCokinetics of methYLphenidate in adult patients with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) : comparison between patients with and without OBesity. Its aim is to determine whether, for a comparable treatment dose, there are differences in the pharmacokinetic of methylphenidate between ADHD patients with obesitý and ADHD patients but without obesitý. More specifically, we will assess whether blood concentrations of methylphenidate (MPH; long acting form) are significantly higher or lower in either group at different times of the day. To meet this objective, we are conducting this pharmacokinetic clinical trial with blood sampling and repeated clinical measurements just prior to MPH administration (= at T0) and then, at different times after administration, i.e. at times (T): T 30 minutes, T 1 hour, T2h, T3h, T4h, T6h, T8h after MPH administration. As far as MPH is concerned, this is the usual treatment. However, we may hypothesize that the distribution in the body may differ according to weight: hence the interest of this study

Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of EB-1020 in Adult ADHD Patients

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and examine the safety of two doses of EB-1020 QD XR capsule administered once daily orally in adult ADHD patients.

A Long-term Trial of EB-1020 in Adult Patients With ADHD

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of long-term administration of mainly high doses of EB-1020 over 52 weeks in patients who have completed the double-blind trial (405-102-00112) conducted in Japan

Effectiveness of Manual Therapy in the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

The main objective is to determine whether Manual Therapy (MT), in addition to conventional treatment, is more effective in improving ADHD symptoms than the application of conventional treatment alone.

Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder / Substance Use Disorder Comorbidity in Integrated Treatment

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) is a highly common comorbid condition associated with serious medical and psychosocial consequences. However, and despite the international consensus recommending integrated treatment for this comorbidity, few studies tested the efficacy of specific psychotherapeutic treatment for this comorbidity. The aim of this study is to test the efficacy of a specific group Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for the treatment of adults with this comorbidity. This is a longitudinal, randomized controlled intervention study utilizing a crossover design between the intervention and treatment-as-usual (TAU) waitlist condition, aimed at testing the effectiveness of an integrated psychotherapeutic group treatment for adults with comorbid Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Substance Use Disorders (SUDs).

Home-Based Executive Function Training Intervention For Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder-prone Children

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a home-based executive function training Intervention on children's ADHD symptoms, executive function and parents' parenting stress.

A Comparison of Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Structured Activity Group for Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Many adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience difficulties with inattention, planning and impulsivity that impacts work and social life negatively also after treatment with medication. There are various psychological treatments aiming to improve these symptoms, but it is not known if they work or not. The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in comparison to an active control group consisting of a discussion and activity group. Previous research suggests that group CBT works about equally well as other structured group activities. The main questions the researchers aim to answer are if group CBT work better than activity groups to: * Improve symptoms of ADHD * Improve general mental health and life quality * Improve every-day functioning The researchers also want to learn if group CBT or activity groups work better for some people with ADHD depending on individual characteristics such as • type of symptoms, age, gender or co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses. The comparison is a manualised structured activity group given at the same number of sessions and same group size. All participants will visit our clinics at 12 occasions. They will: * Fill in questionnaires before and after the group intervention, and online after 6 and 12 months * Do cognitive testing before and after the intervention

The Safety and Efficacy of Terpene-enriched Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil in ADHD

ADHD is the most frequent neurodevelopmental disorder in childhood. Symptoms often appear in preschool years, and most children (65-80%) continue to experience some ADHD-associated symptoms into adolescence and adulthood. The disorder is marked by age-inappropriate inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Drug treatments for ADHD include stimulants containing methylphenidate (like Ritalin and Concerta) or amphetamines (like Vyvanse). However, 30-35% of the patients do not respond well to these treatments, and stimulants may result with various side effects. The use of medical cannabis increases; applied for expending medical conditions, with growing evidence for its beneficial effects. A study on ADHD adults treated by cannabinoids demonstrated improvements in hyperactivity and impulsivity. The current study is aimed to examine the safety and efficacy of treating children diagnosed with ADHD with a CBD oil (devoid of THC), enriched with terpenes. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the enriched CBD oil or a placebo, for 5 weeks (Treatment, Stage I). At the end of the treatment stage (I), an open-label stage will follow (II), wherein, all participants will receive the investigational product for an additional 5 weeks. The investigators hypothesize that children treated with the enriched CBD oil (Treatment, Stage I) will show significantly higher improvement in hyperactivity and inattention scores, as compared with the placebo group.