Can tea compounds sharpen focus in ADHD and autism? new study seeks answers
NCT ID NCT07189442
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 25, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This pilot study tests whether a combination of two natural compounds, L-theanine and paraxanthine, can temporarily improve attention and self-control in adults with ADHD or autism. About 24 participants will complete thinking tests and brain scans after taking the supplement or a placebo. The goal is to see if this combo offers a safe, short-term cognitive boost.
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.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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17 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2025
- Finished
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Jun 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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Children (under 18), adults (18 to 64) and older adults (65 and over)
- Sex
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Male participants only
- 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.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Adults (18+ years) diagnosed by a physician (per self-report) with ADHD or ASD \* Participants with a dual diagnosis and ASD and ADHD will be recruited but will only be included in the ASD group - their concurrent ADHD diagnosis will be included as an additional variable in exploratory analyses Exclusion Criteria: 1. Subjects with gross visual or auditory impairments that might limit their ability to perform neuropsychological tasks 2. Inability to read and follow written instructions 3. Physical, neurological, intellectual, or psychiatric impairments (except ADHD or ASD) that could affect cognitive and motor functions 4. Subjects on medications including antidepressants and antipsychotics that may affect performance in the tasks 5. Subjects on medications that are likely to interact with the administered substances, including regular intake of medication that could alter visual, auditory, cognitive, or motor functions (except stimulants) 6. History of head injury resulting in loss of consciousness/history of brain surgery 7. Subjects who have developed adverse effects when caffeine/paraxanthine /L-theanine/corn starch (will be in placebo) containing products were consumed 8. Subjects who are unwilling or unable to refrain from intake of L-theanine/ caffeine/ paraxanthine containing food or beverages within the 24 hours prior to each study visit 9. Intake of drugs containing caffeine, other phosphodiesterase inhibitors, or adenosine receptor blockers within the past 3 months 10. Intake of medications known to have pharmacological interactions with paraxanthine within the past 3 months 11. Current/past diagnosis of tics or other forms of dyskinesia 12. History of headache, drowsiness, anxiety, insomnia, or nausea following intake of caffeine or caffeine-containing beverages 13. Current/past history of smoking and/or alcohol or drug abuse 14. Subjects with absolute contraindications to undergo MRI after being screened by the TTNI safety screening sheet (Appendix) 15. Unwillingness or inability to entirely refrain from the use of electronic devices during study visits 16. Unwillingness or inability to follow written, on-screen, and verbal instructions given by the study team.
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas, 79430, United States
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