NIH-funded research R21 grant

Improving early detection of ADHD in children using electronic health records

Official title: Promoting Universal Screening and Early Identification of Child ADHD via Integrated Automatic EHR Supports in Primary Care

Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10883975 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is working on a new tool to help doctors spot ADHD in kids earlier by using data from health records, so more children can get the support they need as soon as possible.

More Primary Care research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2023
Project endJuly 31, 2025
Funding year2023
Award (this year)$212,492
NIH project number7R21MH128585-02
Project IDNIH-10883975 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 4 to 18 who may be at risk for ADHD and are receiving care in primary healthcare settings.

Less likely to help

Patients who are outside the age range of 4 to 18 or those who have already been diagnosed and are receiving treatment for ADHD may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research aims to enhance the early identification of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children by developing an electronic health record (EHR) algorithm. The project will analyze existing data to identify children at risk for ADHD, focusing on improving screening rates in pediatric primary care settings. By collaborating with healthcare stakeholders, the researchers will create a roadmap for implementing this algorithm, ensuring that more children receive timely diagnoses and appropriate care.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in children, reducing the risk of negative outcomes associated with untreated ADHD.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully utilized Natural Language Processing techniques to identify other behavioral health conditions, indicating potential for success in applying similar methods to ADHD identification.

Where this research is happening

  • Johns Hopkins University
    Baltimore, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Gao, Guodong — Johns Hopkins University
  • Study coordinator: Gao, Guodong

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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  • Primary Care Bridge: Building Research in Diverse Geographic Settings

    A national network hub in New Mexico will connect rural clinics and communities to faster, more usable primary care research so patients in underserved areas can benefit from new evidence.

    NIH research University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr · Albuquerque, United States · NIH-11618652

  • WREN: Expanding Research Capacity in Rural Primary Care Clinics

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  • Primary care research network in Oklahoma to boost rural patient trials

    A nationwide NIH-supported effort to strengthen Oklahoma’s primary care research network so doctors can run big clinical trials and real‑world studies in rural communities.

    NIH research University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr · Oklahoma City, United States · NIH-11618645

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.