Understanding ADHD in children in Kenya and South Africa
Official title: 3/3 Akili: Phenotypic and genetic characterization of ADHD in Kenya and South Africa
Funded at University of Cape Town · NIH-11113911 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is gathering information from children with and without ADHD in Kenya and South Africa to better understand the disorder's causes and how it affects them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cape Town NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rondebosch, South Africa) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $506,452 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132950-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11113911 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 0-11 years in Kenya and South Africa, both those with a confirmed ADHD diagnosis and those without, are ideal candidates for this project.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct therapeutic interventions for ADHD will not receive direct benefit from participating in this foundational research.
What this research studies
This project aims to learn more about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by collecting detailed information from 6,000 children in Kenya and South Africa. Researchers will work with 4,000 children diagnosed with ADHD and 2,000 children without the condition. Each child will provide a DNA sample and complete various tests to understand their behavior, thinking skills, and overall health. This comprehensive approach helps us explore the genetic and behavioral aspects of ADHD in a diverse population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could help us better understand the biological roots of ADHD, how it varies among individuals, and its connections to other brain-related conditions, potentially leading to improved ways to help children with ADHD.
How similar studies have gone: While genetic studies of ADHD exist, this project is unique in its large scale and focus on diverse ancestral populations, addressing current gaps in global ADHD research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cape Town
Rondebosch, South Africa Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Donald, Kirsty — University of Cape Town
- Study coordinator: Donald, Kirsty
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Biobehavioral validation of the ADHD emotion dysregulation phenotype
A study with children who have ADHD is testing how emotion regulation and thinking skills fit together to better understand why ADHD shows up differently in kids.
-
Hybrid school clinician training and ADHD/ODD program for Mexico
A school-based program to train clinicians and deliver a digital ADHD/ODD intervention in Mexican schools, helping children in real-world settings.
-
Hybrid school clinician training and ADHD/ODD intervention for schools in Mexico
A program that trains school clinicians and provides a digitally enhanced ADHD/ODD intervention to elementary-age students in Mexican schools to improve outcomes.
-
Nonstimulant-First vs Stimulant-First ADHD Treatment in Adults
This trial tests whether starting ADHD treatment with a nonstimulant medication works as well as starting with a stimulant for adults with ADHD.
-
Treating Adult ADHD Around the Clock: A Sleep-Focused Treatment Trial
A Duke-led study tests a care plan that uses a sleep-focused program, with or without CBT-based ADHD therapy, to help adults with ADHD sleep better and function more during the day.
-
Motivational Interviewing–Enhanced CBT for Adults with ADHD
A new program tests whether adding Motivational Interviewing to CBT helps adults with ADHD engage in treatment and improve daily functioning.
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.