Identifying preschoolers at risk for ADHD

Neural and Clinical Biomarkers of Risk for ADHD: A Focus on Preschoolers

NIH-funded research Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10829864

This study is looking at young children who might be at risk for ADHD because a parent has it, and it aims to find early signs that could help predict if they will develop the condition as they grow up.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10829864 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on identifying preschool-aged children who may be at risk for developing Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) due to having a parent with the condition. By conducting clinical assessments and neuroimaging studies on 100 children with a familial history of ADHD and 50 control children, the research aims to uncover early biomarkers that can predict the onset of ADHD. The study will follow these children over two years to monitor their development and identify any early signs of ADHD.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are preschoolers aged 4-6 who have a parent diagnosed with ADHD.

Not a fit: Children without a familial history of ADHD or those outside the preschool age range may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier identification and intervention for children at risk of ADHD, potentially reducing the severity of the disorder and improving long-term outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in identifying early biomarkers for ADHD, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Anxiety DisordersMental health disordersPsychiatric Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.