Role of Theta Frequency Oscillations in Proactive and Reactive Control Processes in Youth With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

NCT07566468 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: 10002632002632-M
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 110
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common in children. It can cause problems with attention and the ability to control actions and impulses. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is less common in children but not rare. It involves ongoing thoughts, urges, impulses, and repeated behaviors. Researchers want to study differences in brain activity between healthy children, those with ADHD, and those with OCD. Objective: To learn more about how the brain controls thinking and behavior. Eligibility: People aged 12 to 17 years with ADHD, OCD, or neither. Design: Participants will have 3 to 10 clinic visits in up to 1 year. Each visit will last 2 to 3 hours. Three visits are required: Behavioral. Participants will complete a computer task. Their mood, memory, attention, and thinking skills will be tested. EEG. Participants will undergo electroencephalography (EEG) to measure signals in their brain. Small electrodes will be placed on the scalp. A cap will be stretched over the head. Signals will be recorded while participants rest or do tasks on a computer. MRI. Participants will have a magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI). They will lie on a table that rolls into a tube. The MRI will take pictures of their brain while they do tasks on a computer. Seven more visits are optional. These include 2 more EEG visits and 2 more MRI visits. Three will be magnetoencephalography (MEG) visits: MEG measures small magnetic field changes in the brain. A helmet with sensors will be placed on the head. Brain changes will be recorded while participants rest or do tasks on a computer.

Conditions

ADHD; Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD); Healthy Volunteer

Keywords

EEG; MRI; fMRI

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Participant Retention for all visits of the study and task performance.

  Withdrawal rates and Accuracy rates on task.

  At each visit

• Adverse Events reported related to study procedures

  Patient Reported Negative Side Effects

  At each visit

• Percentage of EEG and fMRI data deemed to be of sufficient quality for analysis (e.g. without artifact or excessive motion).

  Amount of analyzable data

  At time of assessment

• Structural cortical region source localized from a combination of the EEG (and MEG in a subset of patients) and fMRI data

  Location of brain activation

  At time of assessment

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Accuracy and reaction time behavioral responses to cognitive control tasks.

  Across all study visits

Study Arms (3)

Healthy Volunteer Youth

Youth ages 10-17 without any Neurological or Psychiatric diagnosis based on DSM-5 criteria and Neuropsychological battery of tests.

Youth with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Youth ages 10-17 with a DSM-5 Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Youth with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Youth ages 10-17 with a DSM-5 Diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 10 Years - 17 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

We aim to collect a sample of 90 youth ages 10-17, 30 with ADHD, 30 with OCD, and 30 age- and sex-matched typically developing healthy volunteer youth with complete data. In order to account for screen failures and participant attrition, we will recruit 110 individuals. Consistent with the sex differences in rates of psychopathology, we expect to enroll more males than females at an approximate 3:1 ratio in the ADHD group and 3:2 ratio in the OCD group, and therefore also more males than females in the sex-matched control group. Recruitment will be limited to DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

You may qualify if:

• Ability to provide informed assent and parent consent
• Age: 10-17 years
• ADHD Group: Diagnosis of ADHD based on DSM-5 criteria
• OCD Group: Diagnosis of OCD based on DSM-5 criteria
• HV Group: No Neurological or Psychiatric diagnosis based on DSM-5 criteria
• Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, Second Edition (WASI-II). WASI-II will be used as a measure of intellectual function. Children will be included when FSIQ \> 70.
• Normal or corrected to normal vision

You may not qualify if:

• Participants will be screened to exclude participants in whom MRI or EEG might result in increased risk of side effects or complications or whose data would not be scientifically valid.
• Non-English Speakers
• Pregnancy
• Any implant, prosthesis or alteration of the body that, in the opinion of the investigator, would be unsafe with MRI or EEG or that would produce an artifact that would compromise the integrity of data;
• Active or History of psychosis, bipolar I disorder, Level 2 or 3 autism spectrum disorder, active severe substance use disorders (within the last month), have active suicidal intent or plan as detected on screening instruments;
• Individuals currently taking Stimulant medications who are unwilling or unable to not take the medication during study visit days.
• Past or present medical or neurological condition, disease, disorder, genetic finding, or injury that, in the opinion of the Investigator, may significantly increase the potential risks of study participation, reduce or compromise a subject s ability to fully comply with all study requirements for the duration of the study or may compromise the integrity of the data.
• For the HV group, any impairing current psychiatric diagnosis.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): lead

Study Sites (1)

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Location

Related Links

• NIH Clinical Center Detailed Web Page

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Lindsay M Oberman, Ph.D.

  National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Lindsay M Oberman, Ph.D.

CONTACT

(301) 435-7962; lindsay.oberman@nih.gov

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: NIH
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 1, 2026
• First Posted: May 5, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 31, 2029
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 31, 2029
• Last Updated: May 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04-28

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)