Medication effects on eye movements and autonomic function in children and teens with ADHD
Official title: Evaluation of the Relationship Between Medication, Eye Movements, and Autonomic Nervous System Functions in Children and Adolescents With ADHD
Run by Umeå University · NCT07634809 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests how ADHD medication influences eye movements and autonomic nervous system signals in kids and teens with ADHD.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 6 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 150 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Umeå University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Umeå) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 10, 2026 |
| Main results expected | November 2028 |
| Study ends | November 2028 |
| Registry record updated | June 9, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07634809 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Children and adolescents aged 6–17 with ADHD who are planned to receive methylphenidate according to clinic procedures and can participate in eye-tracking and HRV assessments.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals with cardiovascular conditions, severe motor or visual impairments, or recent caffeine intake that cannot be controlled may not benefit from the findings.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational study examines how methylphenidate affects biomarkers such as eye movements, pupil dilation, pupillary light reflex, and heart rate variability in children and adolescents with ADHD. It uses a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design to explore associations between symptom changes, medication, and these biomarkers. The goal is to better understand which factors relate to symptom improvement and side effects, potentially guiding individualized treatment decisions. Participants are 6 to 17 years old and receive ADHD medication under clinical procedures, with measurements taken during specified time windows and excluding individuals with certain health conditions or measurement barriers. The research is conducted at multiple sites in Sweden, led by Umeå University with collaboration from regional and university partners.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could help tailor ADHD medication choices and monitoring to individual biomarker profiles, potentially improving response and reducing side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Similar approaches have shown associations between medications and physiological biomarkers, but this study adds a focused look at eye movements and autonomic measures in a pediatric ADHD population.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * ages of 6 -17 * diagnosis of ADHD and agreed to medication administration in accordance with the clinic's procedures. Exclusion Criteria: * diagnoses of arrhythmia, cardiovascular disease, or current substance use * concurrent use of non-steroidal asthma medications or beta-blockers * the inability to complete study participation before the participant's 18th birthday. * severe motor impairments and visual impairments that prevent participation in eye-tracking measurements. * caffeine intake within 4 hours prior to HRV and eye-tracking measurements
Where it's running
-
BUP Umeå
Umeå, Sweden Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Linda Halldner Henriksson, MD, PhD
- Email: linda.halldner@umu.se
- Phone: +46 73 98 117 12
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
AI-assisted home-based mood diary for kids with ADHD
A home-based program uses an AI-assisted diary that turns daily mood entries into comic strips to see if it helps kids with ADHD improve emotion regulation.
-
Medication treatment for ADHD in children with epilepsy
This study tests whether a stimulant medicine (Jornay PM) helps ADHD symptoms in children who also have epilepsy.
-
Retail-grade weighted blanket for sleep in children with ADHD
This study tests whether using a retail-grade weighted blanket for 4 weeks helps children with ADHD sleep better.
-
MOCHA: Inpatient Mental Health Care for High-Risk Pregnancy
This study tests a collaborative mental health program for pregnant or recently postpartum patients hospitalized for medical problems to see if it can be delivered feasibly and acceptably.
-
ADRIS 2.1 driving simulator for adolescents with ADHD.
This project will test whether the ADRIS 2.1 driving simulator can measure and train driving-related skills in adolescents aged 13–18 with ADHD.
-
Self-regulation techniques to test in a woman with ADHD and stabilized bipolar disorder
This study tests six short, 15-minute self-regulation techniques to see how they affect heart rate, mood, brain activity, and memory in a woman with ADHD and stabilized bipolar disorder.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.