Attention Control Training for Infants at Risk of ADHD (INTERSTAARS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Attention Control Training for Infants at risk of ADHD: a randomized controlled trial
IRAS ID
170342
Contact name
Mark Johnson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Birbeck, University of London
Research summary
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental condition that significantly impacts on education,
social and life outcomes. Medication is often used as a treatment but has significant limitations. Psychological
approaches, although more acceptable to many, have proved disappointing in their effectiveness, because they are
administered too late in development. The most effective time to intervene is likely in infancy, before the disorder fully
develops and when brains are more amenable to positive environmental effects. To test this idea we will undertake a
trial of a novel computerbased
attention training treatment for infants at increased genetic risk for ADHD. The training
approach uses state of the art technology to link attention allocation (as measured by infant gaze) to rewarding images
and outcomes on the screen – thus reinforcing concentration and strengthening attention capacity (as previously
shown in typically developing infants). We are interested here in whether such effects can also be seen in infants at
risk for ADHD, whether there are any beneficial effects on early manifestations of ADHDlike
behaviours, and what the
brain processes underpinning such effects might be. Up to 80 infants will take part in this initial study. Participants will
be at increased genetic risk of ADHD as they have an immediate family member with the condition. Half of them will get
12 homebased
sessions of the attention training treatment. The others will receive a control placebo training. If the
initial trial is successful, we will plan a larger scale effectiveness randomized controlled trial (RCT) in the near future.
To note, this study will be affiliated with the STAARS study, therefore some STAARS participants will be also invited to
participate in INTERSTAARS,
and INTERSTAARS
volunteers will be invited to participate in STAARS.REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0407
Date of REC Opinion
27 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion