Investigating how parent-child brain activity relates to early ADHD symptoms
Official title: Parent-child neurobehavioral synchrony and early ADHD symptom trajectories
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11020695 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the way parents and kids connect with each other can affect the chances of kids developing ADHD, and it’s for families with children aged 0-11 who want to understand more about early signs of this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $673,803 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH138380-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11020695 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 who exhibit early signs of ADHD or related attentional difficulties.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or those without any signs of ADHD or attentional difficulties may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the relationship between parent-child neurobehavioral synchrony and the development of ADHD symptoms in children aged 0-11. By examining brain connectivity patterns during parent-child interactions, the study aims to identify early indicators of ADHD and explore how these patterns can influence children's attentional control and executive functioning. The methodology includes using functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure brain activity, allowing researchers to observe changes in neural connectivity that may predict ADHD trajectories. The goal is to enhance early identification and intervention strategies for children at risk of developing ADHD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier identification and more effective interventions for children at risk of ADHD, potentially improving their long-term developmental outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of parent-child interactions in child development, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights into ADHD.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Joseph, Heather Marie — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Joseph, Heather Marie
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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.