Understanding Brain Activity Differences in ADHD

The neurophysiological basis of interindividual variability (IIV) in ADHD

NIH-funded research University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11080967

This project looks at existing brain activity data from children and adults with and without ADHD to better understand why attention and task performance can vary so much from person to person.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-11080967 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

We know that people with ADHD often show more variability in how they perform tasks, but we don't fully understand why this happens in the brain. This project will re-examine brainwave (EEG) data from previous studies to find new ways to measure brain processing efficiency. By looking at specific patterns in brain signals, we hope to identify continuous, moment-by-moment changes in brain activity that contribute to these differences. This approach could help us connect what we see in behavior to what's happening at a deeper level in the brain.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This project uses existing data from children and adults, both with and without ADHD, who previously participated in studies involving EEG and fMRI during attention tasks.

Not a fit: Patients not diagnosed with ADHD or those who have not participated in the specific prior studies providing the datasets would not directly benefit from this particular analysis.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a clearer understanding of the brain mechanisms behind ADHD, potentially paving the way for more precise ways to diagnose and support individuals with the condition.

How similar studies have performed: This project builds upon existing theoretical frameworks and re-analyzes previously collected data, suggesting it leverages prior research findings to explore new insights.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, 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 2026-06-15 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.