Investigating how parent-child brain activity relates to early ADHD symptoms

Parent-child neurobehavioral synchrony and early ADHD symptom trajectories

NIH-funded research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11020695

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-11020695 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 who exhibit early signs of ADHD or related attentional difficulties.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 11 years or those without any signs of ADHD or attentional difficulties may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Pittsburgh, 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 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
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.