The goal of this translational biomarker study is to use electroencephalography (EEG) to
identify brain signatures that will predict a child's response to two of the most commonly
prescribed ADHD medications, methylphenidate and mixed amphetamine salts. The main questions
the investigators aim to answer are:
1. Do children with ADHD who show symptom reduction with methylphenidate have different EEG
profiles than children who do not respond well to methylphenidate?
2. Do children who respond better to mixed amphetamine salts than to methylphenidate have
unique EEG profiles?
The investigators will measure brain activity before the participating children have tried
any stimulant medications, and then again after a 3-week trial of Concerta (methylphenidate).
Participants who do not show significant symptom improvement on Concerta will then complete a
3-week trial of Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts), and the study will measure brain activity
while those children are on the best dose of Adderall. The investigators will collect
information from the child, caregivers, and teachers each week to measure ADHD symptom
improvement and side effects. This study will therefore follow the typical treatment approach
used in the Boston Children's Hospital Developmental Medicine Clinic, but the investigators
will add measures of brain functioning before and after medication.