Evaluating brain activity related to action inhibition in adults with ADHD

Assessment of Brain Activity Associated With Inhibition of Action in Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Not applicable Interventional University Hospital, Toulouse · NCT04768556

This study is testing how well adults with ADHD can stop their actions by looking at their brain activity to see if it’s different from healthy people and those who don’t have ADHD.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 50 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Toulouse Academic / other
Locations1 site (Toulouse)
Trial IDNCT04768556 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the inhibitory control deficits in adults diagnosed with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by analyzing their brain activity through electroencephalography (EEG). Participants will undergo two stop-signal tasks designed to measure their inhibitory capacities, alongside a neuropsychological assessment of other cognitive skills. The results from ADHD patients will be compared to those from healthy volunteers and individuals who have been evaluated for ADHD but do not meet the criteria. This approach aims to enhance the understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying inhibitory control in ADHD and improve diagnostic procedures.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 to 50 who have a diagnosis of ADHD according to DSM-V criteria.

Not a fit: Patients with general neurological diseases, severe depression, or insufficient language skills in French may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to better diagnostic tools and interventions for adults with ADHD, improving their management and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While some studies have explored executive functions in ADHD, this specific approach combining EEG analysis with inhibitory control tasks is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age between 18 and 50,

  * Visual, auditory (authorized apparatus), motor skills suitable for the proper realization of neuropsychological tests,
  * Being right-handed,
  * Free, informed and written consent signed by the participant and the investigator
  * Person affiliated or beneficiary of a social security scheme.
* For the ADHD group:

  * Diagnosis of ADHD according to DSM-V criteria (APA, 2013),

For the patient control group:

• Patient who consulted for a cognitive complaint and for whom the diagnosis of ADHD was rejected according to the criteria of DSM-V (APA, 2013).

Exclusion Criteria:

* General or progressive neurological disease resulting in cognitive impairment (multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke, etc.),
* Insufficient linguistic level in French to participate in neuropsychological assessment,
* Patient placed under judicial protection or under another protective regime,
* Severe depression according to DSM-V criteria (APA, 2013),
* Autism spectrum disorder, developmental coordination disorder.

  -For the healthy voluntary control group:
* Presence of a cognitive complaint or pathology which may impair his cognitive functions

Where this trial is running

Toulouse

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Attention DeficitHyperactivity DisorderKEYWORDS: Inhibitory controltime-frequency
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.