Target ADHD Executive Working Memory Replication Study

Description

This proposal is a 3-year clinical trial study replicating an R61 study that targeted brain engagement in 62 ADHD diagnosed adolescents. This study will recruit n=130 adolescents, n=90 ADHD, 40 non-ADHD. The ADHD group will be randomized to a ‘sham training’ placebo or to train 4 times each week using 4 different EWM exercises that have been combined into the format of a typical cognitive training intervention. Exercise difficulty levels in the active intervention will increase across 5 weeks to continually challenge EWM ability. EWM training will use a novel, remotely-supervised ‘at home’ computerized training approach that was developed in the Phase I study. This study will attempt to establish a convincing link between the hypothesized targets found in Phase I and ADHD symptom expression. It also will characterize ADHD brain activity or EWM ability changes relative to typical levels seen in the n=40 non-ADHD control group.