Understanding how genes contribute to primary ADHD in families
Official title: Advancing Understanding of Genomic Mechanisms for Primary ADHD in Families
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11310875 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Boston Children’s Hospital will look at how genetic differences cause primary ADHD in children and their families.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,599,336 |
| NIH project number | 4RF1MH137118-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11310875 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children with primary ADHD (without comorbid autism or intellectual disability) and their family members who can complete standardized diagnostic evaluations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with ADHD accompanied by autism or intellectual disability may be less directly impacted until findings are extended to broader groups.
What this research studies
Researchers will build a large, well-defined family-based database of children with primary ADHD and their parents and siblings using consistent diagnostic criteria. The project will use genomic data to identify rare variants that may explain ADHD when autism or intellectual disability are not present. This work aims to clarify genetic mechanisms behind ADHD and inform future approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Participants will undergo standardized ADHD evaluations and family member assessments to ensure accurate, uniform data collection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to better understanding of ADHD causes and pave the way for more precise, personalized care.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest rare genetic variants may underlie a substantial portion of primary ADHD, and larger, standardized family datasets are needed to confirm this.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Doan, Ryan Neil — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Doan, Ryan Neil
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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.