Biobehavioral validation of the ADHD emotion dysregulation phenotype
Funded at Syracuse University · NIH-11572374 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study with children who have ADHD is testing how emotion regulation and thinking skills fit together to better understand why ADHD shows up differently in kids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Syracuse University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Syracuse, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2020 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $532,169 |
| NIH project number | 7R01MH120109-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11572374 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 7-10 diagnosed with ADHD who show variability in emotion regulation and cognitive function.
✕Less likely to help
Children outside the age range or without ADHD may not directly benefit from these results.
What this research studies
This project looks at how emotions and thinking processes interact in children with ADHD to create distinct emotional profiles. It uses a cross-sectional, case-control approach with 7- to 10-year-olds to link behavioral patterns with underlying biology. By identifying profiles like Mild, Surgent, and Irritable, the researchers aim to refine how ADHD is described and treated. The goal is to improve future measurement of how brain and behavior relate to ADHD symptoms for better treatment decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to more precise diagnoses and personalized therapies that target both emotion regulation and cognitive processes in ADHD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work supports that emotion and cognition interact in ADHD, with potential for improved nosology, but mechanistic links require further validation.
Where this research is happening
-
Syracuse University
Syracuse, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karalunas, Sarah Lyn — Syracuse University
- Study coordinator: Karalunas, Sarah Lyn
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Hybrid school clinician training and ADHD/ODD program for Mexico
A school-based program to train clinicians and deliver a digital ADHD/ODD intervention in Mexican schools, helping children in real-world settings.
-
Hybrid school clinician training and ADHD/ODD intervention for schools in Mexico
A program that trains school clinicians and provides a digitally enhanced ADHD/ODD intervention to elementary-age students in Mexican schools to improve outcomes.
-
Nonstimulant-First vs Stimulant-First ADHD Treatment in Adults
This trial tests whether starting ADHD treatment with a nonstimulant medication works as well as starting with a stimulant for adults with ADHD.
-
Treating Adult ADHD Around the Clock: A Sleep-Focused Treatment Trial
A Duke-led study tests a care plan that uses a sleep-focused program, with or without CBT-based ADHD therapy, to help adults with ADHD sleep better and function more during the day.
-
Motivational Interviewing–Enhanced CBT for Adults with ADHD
A new program tests whether adding Motivational Interviewing to CBT helps adults with ADHD engage in treatment and improve daily functioning.
-
Understanding ADHD Stimulant Use and Teen Substance Outcomes
A long-term study following adolescents with ADHD to see how different patterns of stimulant treatment relate to later substance use risks and outcomes.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.