Fast Facts
Diagnosed With or Exhibiting Symptoms of ADHD
3-4 Years Old
Compensation Provided
Conducted in Pittsburgh, PA
Study Background
The AtHENS Study at the University of Pittsburgh is exploring how attention and brain development progress in preschool-aged children. By participating, you can help researchers learn more about early childhood development, which may lead to better support for children with ADHD in the future.
You and your child can help researchers better understand how young minds grow, especially in children who show signs of being easily distracted, full of energy, or always on the go.
If you join the study, your child will take part in fun, engaging activities during two in-person visits over two years. These visits include interactive tasks and assessments while wearing a comfortable head-cap that uses light to measure brain activity, no radiation involved. Parents will also complete online surveys about their child’s behavior.
Study Background
You and your child can help researchers better understand how young minds grow, especially in children who show signs of being easily distracted, full of energy, or always on the go.
If you join the study, your child will take part in fun, engaging activities during two in-person visits over two years. These visits include interactive tasks and assessments while wearing a comfortable head-cap that uses light to measure brain activity, no radiation involved. Parents will also complete online surveys about their child’s behavior.
Additional Information
The purpose of the AtHENS study is to learn more about how the brain develops in preschool-age children, some of whom will have elevated energy or symptoms of being easily distracted. The AtHENS study will provide researchers with important information that may help us provide targeted support for preschool-aged children with ADHD in the future.
Your family may qualify for a study if you meet the following criteria.
Child Participants:
- 3 or 4 years of age
- Not born prematurely (before 37 weeks gestational age)
- No intellectual or other neurodevelopment disorder (e.g., autism spectrum disorder) or selective mutism
- Must attend preschool or daycare at least 2 days per week
Parent Participants:
- Must be the child’s primary caregiver
Other IE Criteria:
- Families must speak English
- Must be willing to travel to Pittsburgh, PA for two in-person study visits
Participation in the AtHENS Study takes about 8-10 hours over 2 years and includes:
1. Two In-Person Study Visits (2 Years Apart)
- Held at our offices in Oakland, Pittsburgh, PA
- You and your child will complete activities like solving puzzles or watching videos
- Both of you will wear a comfortable headcap that uses light to measure brain activity (no radiation involved)
- A study staff member will work with your child to understand how they think and learn
2. Five Online Parent Surveys
- Completed every six months between the two visits
- Each survey takes 15-60 minutes
- Covers topics like your child’s behavior and home environment
Additional Information
- Children do not need an ADHD diagnosis to participate—they will be assessed during the two-year follow-up visit
- Families must live within 1 hour of our office in Oakland, Pittsburgh, PA
As a participant, you can receive compensation. We also provide validated parking and bus fare reimbursement for study visits.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.
