Attachment Development and Learning in ADHD: The role of Dopamine
EU CTIS ID: 2025-525122-35-00
What this study is testing
To investigate how methylphenidate (compared to placebo) influences attachment-related learning processes and behavior in children with ADHD.
- Therapeutic use (Phase IV)
A plain-language read of the study's public EU CTIS listing. The study team confirms the details.
Who can take part
You may be able to join if
- Voluntary written informed consent of the participant or their legally authorized representative has been obtained prior to any screening procedures.
- Children aged 8-12 years, currently attending elementary school.
- A prior diagnosis of ADHD, which is again confirmed in routine clinical care with a structured diagnostic interview (K-SADS; (Kaufman et al., 1997)) before the start of the PCT.
- Initiation of pharmacological treatment with methylphenidate (MPH) within the past 0-12 months, in accordance with evidence-based Flemish/Dutch guidelines (Emmers et al., 2023; Zorgpad ADHD, n.d.), via a 5-week double-blind, placebo-controlled titration (PCT) procedure as implemented in routine clinical practice. During this PCT, the child was identified as a responder, and an optimal dose of short-acting MPH (SA-MPH) was established. Between completion of the PCT and study start, adjustments in dosage and/or formulation (e.g., switch to long-acting MPH) may have occurred, based on clinical evaluation of therapeutic (side) effects by the treating child psychiatrist at the ADHD clinic of UZ Leuven.
- Fluency in Dutch of the child and its primary caregiver.
You likely can't join if
- Formal diagnosis of co-occurring autism spectrum disorder and/or major neurological disorders, as these conditions may involve distinct learning processes relating to attachment (Odent et al., 2021).
- Use of non-stimulant psychopharmacological treatments (e.g., atomoxetine, antidepressants, antipsychotics, guanfacine, bupropion), with the exception of melatonin, to allow for a controlled comparison of attachment-related measures under stimulant medication versus no-medication conditions, without the potential confounding influence of other psychotropic agents.
- Stimulant medication use (e.g., Ritalin, Equasym) less than 32 hours prior to testing at time points 1 or 2. Children will be asked to refrain from using stimulant medication for at least 32 hours before each testing session.
- Current participation in any form of family therapy, mediation, or parenting program at the time of either testing session (T1 or T2), as such interventions may influence child and/or parent behavior and interaction patterns.
- Participation in another interventional trial involving an investigational medicinal product (IMP) or device.
- IQ below 70, as established through prior WISC-V-NL testing (David Wechsler, 2017).
The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Questions & answers
Do participants get paid in this trial?
This listing doesn't specify compensation. Many trials still reimburse travel or offer a stipend, so it's worth asking the study team when you connect.
Is it free to join, and do I need insurance?
Searching and applying through BridgeMD is free. In clinical trials the study-related treatment and visits are generally provided at no cost to you. You usually don't need insurance to take part - confirm specifics with the study team.
How long does this study last?
The listing doesn't state an exact length. The study team walks you through the schedule and number of visits before you decide to enroll.
Who can join this trial?
This study is enrolling all sexes, 0-17 years. The study team makes the final eligibility decision.
Explore other conditions
BridgeMD is an information and trial-matching tool - not medical advice, and not the study sponsor. Details come from EU CTIS; the study team decides eligibility.