Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Brain Activity Changes to Psychostimulants

NCT01310439 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: HH126115
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 38
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the neural basis of response inhibition, working memory, and sustained attention in adolescents and adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with particular emphasis on quantifying the effects of methylphenidate (i.e., treatment with psychostimulants) on neural function. Participants will undergo electrophysiological measurement of brain function during laboratory cognitive tasks. This research is aimed to develop a better understanding of how ADHD neural dysfunction relates to clinical presentation and medication response during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. The specific aims and hypotheses are: Specific Aim: To characterize the effect of Ritalin (methylphenidate) on neural activity underlying performance on the response inhibition task in ADHD adolescents and adults. Hypothesis 1) Methylphendiate will increase N2 and P3 amplitude in ADHD persons during medicated EEG sessions; Hypothesis 2) There will be a significant age × medication interaction such that ADHD teens will show increased amplitude of N2 while medicated, particularly at frontal sites, whereas ADHD adults will show differentially greater effect of medication on P3 amplitude and latency at central sites. Hypothesis 3) Brain activity assessed by fMRI will differ between unmedicated and medicated states.

Conditions

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Study Arms (1)

ADHD adolescents and adults

30 adolescents and adults diagnosed with Combined-subtype AD/HD

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 13 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Participants will be recruited from the community and referred from psychiatric outpatient clinics.

You may qualify if:

• ADHD will be diagnosed based on DSM-IV criteria for ADHD combined subtype ADHD. Combined subtype ADHD requires at least 6 of 9 possible symptoms within both the Hyperactive-Impulsive symptom cluster and the Inattentive symptom cluster. This will be assessed using information gathered from the K-SADS-PL interview with either the potential participant or their parent, and from published self- and parent-report ADHD symptom rating scales (Brown, 1996; Barkley, 1998). Predominantly Inattentive ADHD persons will not be included. The Predominantly Inattentive subtype is the subject of much theoretical debate, as it is not clear that these persons represent a unitary disorder, or that they are neurobiologically similar to combined-subtype ADHD (Millich et al., 2001).

You may not qualify if:

• Only ADHD persons who are regularly prescribed a classic psychostimulant(Ritalin, dexedrine, etc) will be recruited. This will confirm that such persons show a beneficial therapeutic response to stimulants that can be characterized using brain function measurements. While this will prevent the comparison of brain activity response among various medications, it will simplify interpretation of the results. Finally, subjects will be excluded if they are taking any adjunctive medication for ADHD symptoms (e.g., Wellbutrin, etc.) or another psychoactive medication.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hartford Hospital: lead
• Yale University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Hartford Hospital / The Institute of Living

Hartford, Connecticut, 06106, United States

Location

Biospecimen

Retention: SAMPLES WITH DNA

Saliva samples for genotyping

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Michael C. Stevens, Ph.D.

  Hartford Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CROSSOVER
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 7, 2011
• First Posted: March 8, 2011
• Study Start: May 1, 2004
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2010
• Study Completion: June 1, 2010
• Last Updated: March 8, 2011

Record last verified: 2011-03

Locations

US (1)