Clinical Research Directory

Neurocognitive Effects of Non-Invasive Near-Infrared Light Stimulation

Inattentiveness and impulsivity in healthy adults and individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diminish these individuals' quality of life. Cortical hypometabolism has been hypothesized to contribute to inattentiveness in ADHD. Transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) is a safe and non-invasive modality for activation of the prefrontal cortex. tPBM in healthy adults has been shown to augment brain oxygenation, cognition, and mood. The cognition-enhancing effect of tPBM on sustained attention in adults with ADHD remains unstudied. The investigators will evaluate whether tPBM administration to adults with and without ADHD can improve their attention. Each participant will be screened for eighteen criteria based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV, text revised), using the validated instrument Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1). Blinded participants will be randomized into (I) Active-tPBM or (II) Sham-tPBM groups. After undergoing an 8-minute administration of Sham or 1064 nm tPBM to the lateral and medial right prefrontal cortex, each participant will complete a 14-minute, computer-based Conner's continuous performance task-3 (CPT-3). The investigators will examine whether adults with and without ADHD who receive Active-tPBM improve in measures of inattention, impulsivity, sustained attention, or vigilance compared to the Sham-tPBM group. Cognitive assessments of attention like the CPT-3 may evaluate the efficacy of tPBM to increase cortical metabolism in healthy adults and individuals with conditions like ADHD. The investigators anticipate their investigation will be a starting point for more sophisticated studies that focus on the implications of tPBM on cognition.

Effects of Neurofeedback and Transcranial Pulse Stimulation on Attention

The present study aims to examine and compare the effectiveness of transcranial pulse stimulation and neurofeedback among adults who are weak in attention.

Feasibility/Acceptability of Attentional-Control Training in Survivors

This is a multicenter pilot randomized controlled trial, with an active control condition, of the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of EndeavorRx in a cohort of survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia or brain tumor ages 8-16 who are \> 1 year from the end of therapy.

Effect of a Week-long Social Media Abstention on Sustained Attention Functions

The current study's goal is to determine if a one-week break from social media in all forms has a beneficial effect on people's attention, as measured by the Sustained Attention to Response Task, executive function as measured by the Stroop test, and well-being.