Sustained Endogenous Attention Deficits in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Launched by IRCCS EUGENIO MEDEA · Mar 27, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) focus their attention over time. Researchers are using a new test called the "Sustained-Paced Finger Tapping" to see if kids with ADHD have difficulties sustaining their internal attention compared to children without ADHD. The goal is to better understand how attention works in these children and to validate the effectiveness of this new test.

The study is looking for participants aged between 2 and 18 years who have been diagnosed with ADHD, including those who have not yet started any medication. Children with a normal IQ (intelligence quotient) are also eligible if they do not show symptoms of ADHD. However, children with other conditions, such as autism, severe mood disorders, or certain neurological issues, cannot participate. If selected, participants will take part in the finger tapping test, which will help researchers learn more about attention in children with ADHD.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • ADHD Group (1) Subjects with a diagnosis of ADHD of any severity level and subtype
• • ADHD Group (2) "Medication-naive" ADHD subjects, meaning subjects who have not been prescribed and/or have not yet started any pharmacological treatment for ADHD
• • ADHD Group (3) IQ ≥ 70
• • Non-ADHD Group, Normal IQ
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • for both groups, symptomatology suggestive of autism spectrum disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders
• • for both groups, use of psychotropic drugs
• • for both groups, subjects with cerebral palsy and/or neuromotor and neuromuscular disorders
• • for both groups, CNS diseases, e.g., epilepsy and/or neurodegenerative diseases, or central nervous system injuries resulting from, for example, head trauma or stroke
• • for the non-ADHD group, presence of ADHD symptoms