Parent-child brain and behavior synchrony in early childhood ADHD
Parent-child neurobehavioral synchrony and early ADHD symptom trajectories
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · NIH-11239005
This project looks at how parent-child brain and behavior coordination during everyday interactions relates to early ADHD symptoms in preschool children.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11239005 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You and your child would take part in sessions where researchers record brain activity from both parent and child while you interact, using a safe, cap-like device (fNIRS). The team focuses on brain networks that support attention and self-control and watches how those networks change during parent engagement. Children with early signs of inattention or hyperactivity will be followed over time to see how early brain-parent patterns relate to later symptoms. The goal is to find early markers that could point to better timing or targets for help.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are preschool-age children (around 3 years old) who show early attention or hyperactivity concerns and their parent or primary caregiver who can attend visits.
Not a fit: Children without attention or hyperactivity concerns, older kids already in established ADHD treatment programs, or adults would be unlikely to get direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help spot children at higher risk for long-term ADHD problems earlier so interventions might start when the brain is most adaptable.
How similar studies have performed: Early research using parent-child brain measures and fNIRS has linked synchrony to self-regulation, but using these measures to predict ADHD symptom paths in preschoolers is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES
- 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
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.
Conditions: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder