Biomarker Validation in Motor System Physiology in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Status:
Recruiting
Trial end date:
2025-06-30
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed
neurobehavioral disorder in childhood. Children with ADHD struggle in school due to problems
with attention and high levels of impulsivity and hyperactivity. They are at substantially
increased risk for long-term difficulties into adulthood, including academic
underachievement, substance abuse, and criminal behavior. The diagnosis of ADHD, which is
based on subjective ratings by parents and teachers, likely results from multiple different,
overlapping differences in circuits of the brain responsible for attention and impulse
control. However, we do not have any scientific or clinical tests that allow us to understand
these circuits. In an effort to improve ADHD outcomes, we have used a technology called
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to identify highly reliable measurements of brain
function. We have identified two very promising measures that are abnormal in children with
ADHD and, importantly, also predict the severity of ADHD behaviors. The goal of this project
is to determine if these two TMS measurements could be used to help better guide ADHD
treatment. To do this, we will perform three investigations in 8 to 12 year old children to
determine: 1) test-retest reliability; 2) pharmacologic responsiveness; and 3) correlations
with two domains of function relevant to ADHD: "Cognitive Control" and "Emotional Valence."
Through these investigations, we aim to determine whether these two TMS brain measures are
reliable and meaningful enough to be used to help improve precision of individually-targeted
and effective ADHD treatments.
Phase:
Phase 4
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Donald Gilbert, MD, MS, FAAN, FAAP
Collaborator:
Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.