Brain scans reveal clues to ADHD and OCD in teens
NCT ID NCT07566468
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Sep 18, 2026 · Updated 58 times
Summary
This study looks at brain activity in teenagers aged 10 to 17 with ADHD, OCD, or no diagnosis. Researchers will use EEG, MRI, and MEG to measure brain signals while participants do computer tasks. The goal is to understand how the brain controls thinking and behavior, which may help improve future treatments.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this study could help researchers better understand how the brain controls thoughts and actions in ADHD and OCD, potentially guiding future treatments.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It is early-stage and may not lead to direct benefits for participants. Results may not apply to all individuals with these conditions.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 110 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Sep 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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May 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government research agency
The lead sponsor is the US National Institutes of Health.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
We aim to collect a sample of 90 youth ages 10-17, 30 with ADHD, 30 with OCD, and 30 age- and sex-matched typically developing healthy volunteer youth with complete data. In order to account for screen failures and participant attrition, we will recruit 110 individuals. Consistent with the sex differences in rates of psychopathology, we expect to enroll more males than females at an approximate 3:1 ratio in the ADHD group and 3:2 ratio in the OCD group, and therefore also more males than females in the sex-matched control group. Recruitment will be limited to DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
- Ages
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10 to 17 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
* INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Ability to provide informed assent and parent consent 2. Age: 10-17 years 3. ADHD Group: Diagnosis of ADHD based on DSM-5 criteria OCD Group: Diagnosis of OCD based on DSM-5 criteria HV Group: No Neurological or Psychiatric diagnosis based on DSM-5 criteria 4. Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, Second Edition (WASI-II). WASI-II will be used as a measure of intellectual function. Children will be included when FSIQ \> 70. 5. Normal or corrected to normal vision EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Participants will be screened to exclude participants in whom MRI or EEG might result in increased risk of side effects or complications or whose data would not be scientifically valid. 1. Non-English Speakers 2. Pregnancy 3. Any implant, prosthesis or alteration of the body that, in the opinion of the investigator, would be unsafe with MRI or EEG or that would produce an artifact that would compromise the integrity of data; 4. Active or History of psychosis, bipolar I disorder, Level 2 or 3 autism spectrum disorder, active severe substance use disorders (within the last month), have active suicidal intent or plan as detected on screening instruments; 5. Individuals currently taking stimulant medications who cannot tolerate being off their medication for up to 48 hours prior to the study visit and experience an exacerbation of symptoms that necessitates the resumption of medication prior to completion of the study visit. 6. Past or present medical or neurological condition, disease, disorder, genetic finding, or injury that, in the opinion of the Investigator, may significantly increase the potential risks of study participation, reduce or compromise a subject s ability to fully comply with all study requirements for the duration of the study or may compromise the integrity of the data. 7. For the HV group, any impairing current psychiatric diagnosis.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
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