Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center:
New Drug-Free ADHD Treatment Study
What is this research all about?
This study is funded by the National Institutes of Health and will investigate changes in brain function before and after treatment using a computer-based training program. We employ state-of-the-art, non-invasive clinical neuroscience tools to examine brain activity in hopes that this will help us better understand ADHD in teenagers and which treatments are most effective in managing symptoms.
Follow the links below for more information:
The
Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center at
The Institute of Living was founded in 2001. The mission of the Center is to be at the forefront of research in psychiatric and psychological disorders. The Center faculty have many interests including working and long term memory, spatial navigation, salience detection, orienting processes, error monitoring, language and attention. We examine these cognitive processes in normal aging, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, manic-depressive illnesses, OCD, anxiety disorders, ADHD, Conduct Disorder, Autism, Huntington’s chorea, drug abuse, psychopathy and many more.
Click here to visit the Olin NRC Website.
- Teenagers, age 13-18, diagnosed with ADHD who have significant hyperactive and impulsive behavior.
- Teens should be willing to engage in 5 weeks of at-home computer-based training geared toward strengthening cognitive abilities in individuals with ADHD.
Teenagers, age 12-18, diagnosed with ADHD who have significant hyperactive and impulsive behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The above figure demonstrates differences in brain activity before and after 5 weeks of Cogmed working memory training. Colored regions represent areas of increased brain activity during retrieval of verbal and non-verbal information stored in working memory.
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What things will I do if I participate?
- fMRI: the MRI machine records brain activity by using powerful magnets that rapidly take pictures of your brain and shows us areas that are active. While the MRI can be very noisy, it is very safe. You would complete some games in the MRI for about 1 hour.
- Neuropsychological testing: this testing measures a person’s strengths and weaknesses in many cognitive areas like memory, attention, language, visual-spatial ability, motor skills, etc. The tests are done out loud and on a computer. They can be challenging, but are often fun and different.
- Interview: you will talk with one of our staff members about how you are doing as well as things you are thinking and feeling. While talking about your feelings can sometimes be uncomfortable, our staff is sensitive and no one will push you to discuss anything you are uncomfortable with.
- Questionnaires: we will ask you and your parent/guardian to fill out some questionnaires about your family, personality, thoughts and feelings.
- Genetic samples: we collect some of your saliva to examine your DNA, which we will examine to try to identify genes that might influence psychiatric disorders and other characteristics of brain structure and function.
- Working Memory Training Program: You will be given a computer-based cognitive training program that is designed to help you strengthen areas of your brain that may help improve your ADHD symptoms. You will play challenging and unique games in the convenience of your home for about 30-45 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for a total of 5 weeks.
How long does all this take?
- One 3-4 hour visit to our research center before you start training, and one 2-3 hour visit after 5 weeks of training
- Five weeks of working memory training, done at home for about 30-45 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
Is what I tell people about myself private?
Yes, but with an important exception. We will ask you about things like drug and alcohol use, feelings of depression or anxiety and other things that are important to our research, but may be personal. This information is kept strictly confidential. However, because we care a lot about your safety, we always tell your parents or another health professional if we learn you’re in any danger of physically harming yourself or others.
What if I don’t like it once we start?
That’s fine, really. If we can’t answer your questions along the way or fix something that’s bothering you, you can quit at any time. We know you’re volunteering and you’ll never be pressured to do anything that you don’t feel comfortable with.
What do I get out of this?
You will help us advance our understanding of brain function in teenagers with ADHD. You will be provided with a drug-free treatment program at no cost to you. You will also be compensated up to $120 for participating. We can even make you a CD-ROM with pictures of your brain after the MRI scan!
Want to learn more about ADHD?
Here are some helpful links:
From Hartford Hospital's Health Library:
From Hartford Hospital ROUNDS Magazine articles:
To Participate, or for More Information:
Alexandra Gaynor
Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, The Institute of Living
200 Retreat Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: (860) 545-7888
Who is in charge?
Michael C. Stevens, Ph.D.
Clinical Neuroscience & Development Laboratory
Director, Child & Adolescent Research, The Institute of Living
Associate Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine.
Godfrey Pearlson, M.D.
Director, Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center
Professor of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine