How methylphenidate changes brain activity and chemistry in children and teens with ADHD
Multimodal brain imaging of the neural effects of methylphenidate in patients with ADHD
This project uses MRI scans to see how single doses of methylphenidate change brain activity and brain chemistry in children and adolescents with ADHD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247491 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would come to Johns Hopkins for brain scans before and after a single dose of methylphenidate while doing simple cognitive tasks. Researchers will use functional MRI to measure dose-related changes in task-related brain activity and high-field magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure glutamate and other brain chemicals. The team will compare how chemical changes relate to changes in brain function to better understand how stimulants work. All scans are noninvasive and focused on children and adolescents with ADHD.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children and adolescents with a clinical diagnosis of ADHD who can tolerate MRI scans and a single dose of methylphenidate are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Adults outside the pediatric/adolescent age range, people who cannot have MRI (e.g., metal implants), or those who cannot take methylphenidate are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help match stimulant dosing to measurable brain effects and guide the development of better ADHD treatments and biomarkers.
How similar studies have performed: Prior fMRI studies of methylphenidate exist, especially in adults, but combining dose-dependent fMRI with high-field MRS in children and adolescents is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bigos, Kristin L — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Bigos, Kristin L
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 below.